Benefits for Grain Growing Systems - Report Example

Carbon Farming Initiative: Benefits for Grain Growing Systems Carbon Farming Initiative: Benefits for Grain Growing Systems Introduction The global economy is growing fast with the introduction of globalisation and the resulted cross border trade liberalisation. The enhanced rate of industrial operations worldwide leads to the release of immense amounts of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere causing adverse impacts on environmental sustainability. Greenhouse gases like CO2 are extremely harmful to the environment as they result in environmental issues like global warming and severe climate change (‘Climate Change – The Science’, 2014). Carbon sequestration is a common method practiced to capture and store carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the long-term (Stephens, 2012). This paper will evaluate two methods of carbon sequestration such as reforestation and proper agriculture so as to identify their carbon storage mechanism, effectiveness, and the benefits and issues associated. The paper will specifically emphasise the concept of carbon farming. Carbon Sequestration: Definition, Meaning, and Importance Carbon sequestration is simply defined as the process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and storing it in long-term to eliminate this compound’s dreadful impacts on the environment and human life. According to the article Carbon sequestration (n.d.) by GreenFacts, carbon sequestration is “the removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks (such as oceans, forests or soil) through physical or biological processes, such as photosynthesis”. The process of carbon sequestration involves the enduring storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon so as to mitigate the effects of global warming and dangerous climate change. Carbon sequestration is globally recognised as a potential way to reduce the atmospheric and marine accumulation of greenhouse gases, which are released mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels. To capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a number of biological, chemical, or physical processes are used. Considering the growing significance of reducing the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a number of artificial carbon sequestration methods have been developed recently. As described in the EERC article What Is CO2 Sequestration? (n.d.), there are mainly two types of carbon sequestration including terrestrial sequestration and geologic sequestration. Terrestrial sequestration involves the process of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere using plants, and the captured CO2 in turn is stored in the stems and roots of the plants as well as in the soil. In case of geologic sequestration, the captured CO2 is stored in geologic zones deep underground in the long-term (“What Is CO2 Sequestration?”). Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration can play a significant role in minimising the emission of greenhouses gases and promoting electricity generation from power plants without excess CO2 emissions. Statistical evidences suggest that electric power generation contributes to a notable percentage of CO2 emissions. The currently available carbon sequestration technologies are capable of reducing CO2 emissions up to 80-90%. While evaluating the global distribution of greenhouse gases, it is identified that CO2 is the most emitted greenhouse gas worldwide. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carbon dioxide accounts for 77% of the global greenhouse gas emissions (“Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data”, see fig. 1). Hence, it is necessary to employ potential carbon sequestration methods to reduce the level of atmospheric CO2, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. (Source: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions, n.d.) Sundermeier, Reeder, and Lal (n.d.) state that carbon sequestration not only reduces the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide but also enhances the soil quality and long-term agronomic productivity. The authors support their claim by emphasising the fact that carbon is a major ingredient in soil organic matter, which is a key component enhancing plant growth. According to Natural Resources Management and Environment Department (n.d.), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the capture and storage of carbon in soil may lead to a number of benefits including “increases in soil fertility, land productivity for food production and security, and prevention of land degradation”. In addition, the process of carbon sequestration can positively influence dangerous climate change, which is caused mainly by the emission of harmful greenhouse gases like CO2­. In short, the proper use of carbon sequestration techniques can preserve the ecosystems and biodiversity and improve agricultural productivity to a great extent. Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) In the context of growing greenhouse gas emissions and weaker agricultural production, the Australian government developed a new concept called Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). The major purpose of the initiative is to provide information for farmers and land managers who are interested in creating additional income through earning and selling carbon credits; and this is achieved by storing carbon and minimising greenhouse gas emissions on the land (“About the Carbon Farming Initiative”, n.d.). In simpler words, CFI benefits farmers and land managers to gain carbon credits through limiting CO2 emissions, and these credits in turn could be sold to individuals and businesses that wish to offset their emissions (“About the Carbon Farming Initiative”, n.d.). In addition, CFI contributes to environment protection by promoting sustainable farming practices and funding landscape restoration projects. Participation in the CFI is optional for farmers and landholders. Farmers are aware of the dreadful impacts of rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on global warming and climate change. They also know that a warmer climate often poses serious threats to agriculture and food production. However, carbon in the soil is helpful to improve land productivity. Hence, today farmers consider carbon farming as a potential approach to increase the fertility of the land and to address the severe environmental issues associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Under the CFI, farmers and landholders can earn carbon credits through activities like limiting livestock emissions, promoting efficient fertiliser application, increasing the level of carbon in agricultural soil, and enhancing carbon farming through revegetation and reforestation (“About the Carbon Farming Initiative”, n.d.). Farmers recognise carbon farming as a great strategy to increase the agricultural and food production outcomes without hurting environmental sustainability. Methods of Carbon Sequestration As discussed already, a number of biological, physical and chemical processes are used for carbon sequestration. Activities like peat production, reforestation, wetland restoration, and agriculture constitute the major biological processes. Other biological processes include iron fertilisation, urea fertilisation, and mixing layers, and they are ocean-related carbon sequestration processes. The major physical processes include the biomass-related processes like BECCS, burial, biochar burial, ocean storage, and subterranean injection. Finally, chemical processes include mineral carbonation, chemical scrubbers, basalt storage, and acid neutralisation (Cheserek, n.d.). In the following section, reforestation and agriculture will be discussed in detail to assess how effectively these methods could be used to capture and store carbon in soil. Reforestation Reforestation is widely practiced as a common method to sequestrate carbon from the atmosphere and to store it in the soil. Under this method, trees are replanted on pasture lands and other places to incorporate atmospheric CO2 into the biomass. In order to use the reforestation technique effectively to reduce the level of atmospheric CO2, the carbon stored in the soil should not return to atmosphere from the burning or rotting of trees. It is identified that forests store huge quantities of carbon in their biomass and hence they play a vital role in regulating the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide. When deforestation occurs, carbon stored in the biota is directly released into the atmospheric, leading to an increase in the level of atmospheric CO2. Hence, reforestation can be used effectively to reverse the negative effects of deforestation. The process of photosynthesis directly leads to the storage of vast amounts of carbon in vegetation. As a result, forests can play a significant role in restricting the level of atmospheric CO2 through storing vast amounts of carbon in wood. As Dutca, Abrudan, and Blujdea (2009) point out, forest plantations constitute only less than 10% of the deforested areas worldwide and current tree planting activities are capable of compensating approximately 0.3% of the carbon released into the atmosphere by deforestation. The practice of reforestation is good to enhance carbon storage directly through the accumulation in soil and biomass. In addition, reforestation indirectly contributes to carbon storage by providing an alternative solution to fossil fuel (Dutca,et al). When biomass is used as a renewable source of fuel, there will be a mechanism for limiting the release of CO2 into the atmosphere and an incentive for enhancing forest management. Thus, it is possible to limit the CO2 releases from burning fossil fuel and to reduce the quantities of CO2 in the global CO2 cycle. The CO2 storage through reforestation can lead to great positive changes in soil carbon. Studies indicate that the process of carbon sequestration through reforestation can capture and sequestrate nearly 38 tons of CO2 per hectare per year (“Carbon Sequestration through Reforestation”, n.d.). Since trees and plants absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide for supporting the photosynthesis process, forests play an inevitable role in the global carbon cycle. The photosynthesis process is diagrammatically depicted below to show how it removes CO2 from the atmosphere. (Source: Westbroek, 2006) Since forests can reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere and store large amounts of carbon, they are known as terrestrial carbon sinks. It is interesting to note that forests store approximately double the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The major benefit of reforestation is that it can fight alarming environmental issues like global warming and climate change by limiting the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. This carbon sequestration technique has many other benefits. To illustrate, reforestation is a strong tool to protect endangered species by restoring habitat loss and degradation, which are the major issues posing threats to the existence of species. In addition, reforestation activities can prevent soil erosion to a great extent and thereby improve the fertility of agricultural land and prevent floods. Researchers like Mahanan (2004) indicate that reforestation is an effective way to preserve water in the soil and to fight the growing paucity of fresh water worldwide. As this practice can address climate change, it can positively influence agricultural production which is greatly dependent on the climate (p. 465). When reforestation minimises the level of atmospheric greenhouse gases that contribute to ozone layer depletion, the passage of ultraviolet rays and other harmful radiations from the sun to the earth’s surface can be prevented effectively. This method of carbon sequestration has some limitations/demerits too. First, the growing need of land for housing, industrial, and agricultural purposes makes it difficult for environmentalists and other responsible groups to find sufficient area of land for implementing reforestation. As a result, reforestation is difficult to implement in urbanised areas. Many researchers argue that reforestation is not a great strategy to promote the storage of carbon in soil or to support the ongoing Carbon Farming Initiative. Proper Agriculture Proper practice of agriculture is an important tool of carbon sequestration. In a global context, it has been estimated that soils contain “approximately 1,500 gigatons of organic carbon to 1 m depth” (“Carbon stocks and sequestration”, n.d.). That means soil contain more organic carbon than vegetation and atmosphere. Today farmers and land managers modify their agricultural practices considering its potential to capture and store carbon in the soil. In the agriculture sector, carbon emission reduction methods are of two categories: reducing emissions and promoting carbon removal. Some of these reduction methods focus on enhancing the efficiency of plant operations such as the use of more fuel-efficient equipments whereas some other methods emphasise on interrupting the natural carbon cycle. Since increased yields and efficiency in the food production sector imply that more food items are produced from the same or less effort, they can contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions. Some of the common techniques to reduce emissions include appropriate use of fertilisers, limited soil disturbance, proper irrigation, increased yields, and breeding of crop strains for locally advantageous traits. The agriculture sector can also reduce the rate of CO2 emissions by eliminating more energy intensive farming activities. To explain, increased combustion of fossil fuels may lead to release of huge volume of CO2. No-till farming, the practice of growing crops or pasture from season to season without damaging the soil through tillage, needs only limited use of machines and therefore burning of fuel per acre is minimised correspondingly. These methods are beneficial for the agriculture sector to reduce CO2 emissions to the maximum extent. However, it is to be noted that the non-till farming approach may increase the use of weed-control chemicals and the residue left on the surface of the soil may result in the emission of its CO2 into the atmosphere in the future (Mother Earth News Editors, 1984). This situation would lead to drop in the net carbon reduction. In the real life practice, it is identified that farmers deposit post-harvest crop residues and other wastes in the soil and this practice in turn contributes to a carbon storage benefit (Rwenzori Regional Think Tank Steering Committee, 2011). For instance, when stubbles are burnt within the field, the biomass is incorporated back into the soil and therefore there will not be a CO2 release to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by all crops during the growth and subsequently released after harvest. The major goal of the agricultural carbon removal campaign is to capitalise on the relationship between the crop and the carbon cycle to sequester carbon in the soil on a permanent basis. This is achieved by employing farming techniques that return biomass to the soil and reduce carbon within the plants to a stable state. A number of farming strategies are employed for enhancing carbon removal. As Roebuck (2012) describes, covers crops like grasses and weeds are used as “temporary cover between planting seasons”. In addition, livestock are concentrated in small paddocks at a similar time so as to ensure that they graze frequently but lightly. This technique promotes the growth of roots deeper into the soil. In some regions, bare paddocks are covered using hay or dead vegetation to protect soil from the harmful radiations of the sun and to increase the soil’s capability to hold more water. This method will also make the soil more attractive to carbon-capturing microbes. Restoration of degraded land is also encouraged to reduce the pace of carbon release while the land is returned to agriculture or other use (p.87). Evidences suggest that agriculturally sequestration practices can increase the quality of soil, air, and water. These practices may also contribute to the quality of wildlife and improve the food production. Statistical data indicate that a soil carbon increase of 1 ton on degraded croplands may lead to an increase of 20-40 kilograms in crop yields per hectare of wheat, 10-20 kilograms per hectare of maize, and 0.5-1 kilograms per hectare of cowpeas (Roebuck, 2012, p.87). It is important to note that soil will become saturated and stop absorbing carbon generally after 15-30 years of sequestration. Hence, there is a certain point beyond which the soil cannot hold carbon. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that carbon sequestration can have significant positive effects on environment, production, and grain growing systems. In order to foster carbon sequestration, to reduce the level of atmospheric CO2, and to increase the soil carbon, the Australian government has recently developed a policy called Carbon Farming Initiative (Koch, König, Sanden & Verheyen, 2012, p.85). Through carbon sequestration, atmospheric CO2 can be captured and stored in the soil so as to increase the fertility of land for agricultural production. There is a variety of biological, physical, and chemical processes employed for facilitating carbon sequestration. Reforestation and proper agricultural practices are two biological methods of carbon sequestration that are capable of enhancing the soil organic carbon. When carbon dioxide is captured through photosynthesis process under reforestation, proper agricultural practices focus on limiting emissions from agricultural fields and enhancing soil carbon. References “About the Carbon Farming Initiative”. (n.d.). Australian Government. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction-fund/cfi/about “Carbon Sequestration through Reforestation”. (n.d.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/aml/revital/cseqfact.pdf “Carbon stocks and sequestration”. (n.d.). National Land Resource Center. Retrieved from https://www.nlrc.org.nz/science/ecosystem-services-and-processes/carbon-stocks-and-sequestration Carbon sequestration. (n.d.). GreenFacts. Retrieved from http://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/abc/carbon-sequestration.htm Cheserek, B. (n.d.). Carbon sequestration. Retrieved from www.tearesearch.or.ke/index2.php?option=com_sobi2 Climate Change – The Science. (2014). World Nuclear Association. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Energy-and-Environment/Climate-Change---The-Science/ Dutca, I., Abrudan, I. V & Blujdea, V. (2009). The impact of afforestation on carbon storage- A review. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov, 2 (51): 13-18. “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data”. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/global.html Koch, H. J., König, D., Sanden, J & Verheyen, R (Eds.). (2012). Climate Change and Environmental Hazards Related to Shipping: An International Legal Framework: Proceedings of the Hamburg International Environmental Law Conference 2011. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. The Mother Earth News Editors. (June 1984). No-Till Farming Pros and Cons. Mother Earth News. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/no-till-farming-zmaz84zloeck.aspx Mahanan, S. E. (2004). Environmental Chemistry. CRC Press. Natural Resources Management and Environment Department. (n.d.). FAO. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5738e/y5738e05.htm Roebuck, K. (2012). CCS - Carbon Capture and Storage: High-impact Strategies - What You Need to Know: Definitions, Adoptions, Impact, Benefits, Maturity, Vendors. US: Emereo Publishing. Rwenzori Think Tank. (2011). Small holder farmers’ knowledge and adaption to climate change in the Rwenzori region. Research Report No. 001. Retrieved from http://www.krcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Climate-Change-Rpt-20120614-170815.pdf Sundermeier, A., Reeder, R & Lal, R. (n.d.). Soil Carbon Sequestration— Fundamentals. Extension Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/pdf/0510.pdf Stephens, J. C. (2012). Carbon capture and storage. The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150922/ “What Is CO2 Sequestration?” EERC. Retrieved from http://www.undeerc.org/pcor/sequestration/whatissequestration.aspx Westbroek, G. (2006). What is a tree made of? Retrieved from http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber06/9th/stand_6/html/6_1b.htm Read More