Written By: Hajra Javed
With far-reaching consequences for our planet and its people, climate change has emerged as one of the greatest issues of our time. It is important that we investigate long-term strategies that may help us cope with the effects of climate change and find ways to adapt to it. Farming might be part of the answer. With its emphasis on eco-friendly practises, sustainable agriculture has enormous promise in the battle against climate change. In this blog, we’ll examine sustainable agriculture’s fundamental importance in combating climate change, as well as its many advantages and potential pitfalls.
Climate change and its causes
Climate change refers to the gradual but steady rise in global average surface temperature and the accompanying shifts in weather patterns, locally and globally. These are the fallout from the elevated levels of greenhouse gases induced by the burning of fossil fuels. Conversely, since 1800s human activities, notably the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal have emerged as the primary cause climate change.
When fossil fuels are burnt, gases known as greenhouse gases are released, which act like a blanket, and absorb the heat of the sun thus causing the global temperatures to increase. There are several greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, but two of the most prominent are carbon dioxide and methane. These byproducts result from the combustion of fossil fuels for purposes such as driving a car or burning coal to heat a house. Clearing land or cutting down trees also results in an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The agriculture and oil and gas sectors are two of the worst offenders when it comes to methane emissions. The primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions are:
- Energy
- Industry
- Transportation
- Building
- Agriculture
- Other land uses
Sustainable agriculture and its principles
Sustainable farming is farming in a manner that minimises negative effects on the environment, maximises the use of renewable resources, and minimises the depletion of nonrenewable ones. Sustainable agriculture aims to provide for the current generation’s food and textile requirements without jeopardising the capacity of future generations to do the same.
Sustainable agriculture advocates attempt to balance the needs of the environment, the bottom line, and social and economic justice. A sustainable agricultural system is the shared responsibility of farmers, food processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and waste management.
Principles of sustainable agriculture
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a United Nations agency, lays forth the following five guiding principles to which sustainable agriculture must adhere.
- Increase food system production, employment, and value addition.
- To preserve and improve existing natural resources
- Reduce poverty and foster widespread economic expansion
- Improve the ability of individuals, groups, and ecosystems to bounce back from adversity
- Modify administrative structures to accommodate emerging problems
Four ways farmers can use to fight climate change
Efficient Irrigation Management
During times of drought, water conservation is especially important on farms. But since groundwater pumping accounts for the vast majority of farm energy use, improving irrigation efficiency is also crucial for cutting down on fossil fuel use and GHG emissions. Farmers that are aware of climate change and water conservation may employ techniques like drip irrigation, cover crop planting, dry farming, and others to cut down on water usage and energy costs.
Renewable Energy
To lessen their impact on the environment and the climate, farms should maximise energy efficiency and move away from fossil fuels. Using less fossil fuel in agricultural processes like planting, harvesting, storing, and transporting food, and the installation of renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines on the farm are all examples of this.
Organic Practices
Conventional farming has been heavily reliant on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers made from petroleum products since the middle of the 20th century due to the industrialization of agriculture. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner land, water, and food are all benefits of organic farming, which restricts the use of most synthetic inputs. Soil health and fertility are improved by using organic and sustainable farming methods, which in turn has positive effects on the environment and the climate.
Pushing for Climate-Friendly Policies
The groundwork for climate-friendly farming is already in place, but big policy shifts are needed to mitigate climate change’s effects and foster the development of climate-resilient communities. Through incentives, technical assistance, and research, organizations are trying to enhance climate-smart agriculture policies that promote things like farmland conservation, healthy soils, water management, renewable energy, and other practices. By joining climate-conscious farmers in pressuring lawmakers to act now, we can save our future.
The benefits of sustainable agriculture
There are tangible benefits to investing in the research and development of tech-driven agricultural practices, and cutting-edge meteorological data and analytics will get us there. Following are a few benefits of leading towards sustainable agriculture:
Environmental conservation and pollution prevention
Sustainable farmers are more conscious of the environment and their impact on it; therefore, they use less water, less fertiliser, and fewer pesticides. With a larger population comes a greater need for food, highlighting the importance of keeping arable land healthy and productive.
Cost reduction and focus on profits
Better farming methods and faster delivery of food to consumers will benefit everyone in the agriculture industry. Due to the data acquired by sensors installed in a variety of objects, including seed drills and sprayers, drones, satellite images, and soil, unexpected results have become very uncommon because of the Internet of Things.
Improved food production and avoidance of waste
The expected rise in population is a major reason for concern. From a strictly production standpoint, sustainable agriculture offers the greatest promise for advancing agricultural practices.
Conclusion
Sustainable agriculture is a shining example of a promising response to climate change, providing a game-changing strategy for coping with the inevitable difficulties that will arise. Sustainable agriculture offers a potent weapon in the fight against climate change by embracing eco-friendly practices and placing a premium on the condition of our soil. Every person can make a difference by choosing healthy foods and advocating for environmentally friendly agricultural methods. Contributing to the greater movement towards a greener and more sustainable world may be done by demanding sustainably produced food and campaigning for legislation that supports sustainable agriculture.
