Emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas more powerful than carbon dioxide or methane, did not decrease between 1980 and 2020, when more than 10 million tons were released annually.
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This was reported by EurekAlert with reference to the results of an analysis conducted by researchers from Boston College (USA).
Thus, agricultural emissions reached 8 million tons in 2020, which is 67% more than 4.8 million tons in 1980.
In 1980, the world’s farmers used 60 million tons of commercial nitrogen fertilizers. By 2020, this sector used 107 million tons.
In an era when greenhouse gas emissions must fall to reduce global warming, nitrous oxide was released into the atmosphere faster in 2020 and 2021 than at any time in history, the article notes. – Excess nitrogen contributes to soil, water and air pollution. In the atmosphere, it destroys the ozone layer and increases climate change.
Scientists say nitrous oxide emissions must fall if humanity is to limit global temperature rise to just 2°C, as set out in the Paris climate agreement to combat global warming.
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions is the only solution, since at the moment there are no technologies that can remove it from the atmosphere, scientists note.
It is noted that in 2022, the concentration of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere reached 336 parts per billion, which is 25% more than pre-industrial levels and significantly higher than earlier forecasts.
The increase in emissions comes at a time when global greenhouse gases must decline rapidly to zero emissions if we are to have any chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, the researchers note.
Scientists examined data collected from around the world on the major economic activities that lead to nitrous oxide emissions and identified eight man-made and natural sources and three sinks for global nitrous oxide.
According to researchers:
- The top ten countries with the highest emissions of nitrous oxide include China, India, USA, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey and Canada;
- some countries have succeeded in implementing policies and practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions—emissions in China have slowed since the mid-2010s, as have emissions in Europe over the past few decades;
- At the same time, in the US, agricultural emissions continue to increase while industrial emissions have fallen slightly, leaving overall emissions fairly constant;
- Natural sources of nitrous oxide emissions from soil, fresh and salt water remain stable.
Unlimited increases in greenhouse gases, which have a global warming potential roughly 300 times greater than carbon dioxide, have dire consequences for the planet, the researchers note.
Source: EurekAlert
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I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.