Farming for a Better Climate

The world's climate changes naturally as a result of changes in the earth's orbit, variation in solar activity and volcanic eruptions.  However, there is now strong evidence and almost universal agreement that much of the climate change observed in the last 100 years has resulted from human activity.

The sun's rays heat up the earth which retains some of this heat while reflecting the rest.  The earth's atmosphere acts as a layer of insulation or 'blanket' which reduces the amount of heat escaping.

A build up of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in the atmosphere increases the thickness of this 'blanket'.  These greenhouse gases trap more heat, causing the earth's surface temperature to rise and produce the phenomenon known as global warming.

Human activities are making the 'blanket' thicker.  Natural levels of the greenhouse gases are being increased by:

• Burning coal, oil and gas to generate heat and light and to power transport
• Farming, which is a major emitter of methane and nitrous oxide
• Cutting down forests which absorb carbon dioxide and are often replaced by farming

Carbon dioxide is responsible for over 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect.  Man is burning coal, oil and natural gas much faster than the rate at which these fossil fuels were created.  This is releasing the carbon stored in the fuels into the atmosphere and upsetting the carbon balance.

The growing world population is leading to increased demand for food and energy and is often associated with the destruction of forests.  This in turn leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced carbon capture.

Even if we stopped releasing greenhouse gases today, much of the climate change over the next 40 years is already determined by past emissions.