TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: A major study published recently has found that global emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, are significantly outpacing previous expectations, threatening global climate change goals.
EXPLANATION:
- The study, drawing on extensive atmospheric measurements, reveals a substantial rise in human-related nitrous oxide levels, primarily driven by agricultural activities.
Nitrous Oxide
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is an exceptionally powerful greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential approximately 300 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- Once released into the atmosphere, it can persist for more than a century, contributing long-term to global warming and climate change.
- Additionally, nitrous oxide is one of the three major greenhouse gases, alongside CO₂ and methane (CH₄), that significantly contribute to human-induced climate change.
- It also has detrimental effects on the environment, polluting soil, water, and air, and depleting the ozone layer.
Recent Findings and Rising Emissions
- The Global Nitrous Oxide Budget, which incorporated the expertise of 58 international researchers, reported a 40% increase in nitrous oxide emissions over the four decades leading up to 2020.
- By 2022, atmospheric levels of the gas reached 336 parts per billion, representing a 25% increase over pre-industrial levels.
- This surge in emissions was far greater than previously predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlighting an urgent need for action.
Agricultural Contributions and Other Sources of Emissions
- Agriculture is identified as the primary source of anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions, accounting for nearly three-quarters of such emissions in the decade leading up to 2020.
- The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and animal waste management practices are the main contributors within the agricultural sector.
- Over the four decades to 2020, agricultural emissions of nitrous oxide increased by 67%, underscoring the sector’s significant impact on global greenhouse gas emissions.
- In addition to agriculture, other significant sources of nitrous oxide emissions include fossil fuels, waste and wastewater management, and biomass burning.
- These activities collectively contribute to the growing levels of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere, exacerbating the challenges of climate change.
The Urgency of Emission Reduction
- The lead author of the study, emphasized the critical need to reduce nitrous oxide emissions to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement.
- The agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
- According to the study, anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions need to decline by approximately 20% by 2050 to achieve this target.
- Currently, no technologies exist to remove nitrous oxide from the atmosphere, making emission reduction the only viable solution.
Regional Contributions and Mitigation Efforts
- The study identified China, India, the United States, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, and Canada as the top emitters of nitrous oxide, driven by their large populations and increased agricultural demands.
- Conversely, Europe, once the leading emitter, has managed to significantly reduce its nitrous oxide emissions through decreased fossil fuel use and improvements in agricultural practices.
- Similarly, emissions in Japan and South Korea have also declined.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
- The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
- It was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.
- IPCC Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It has 195 Member countries.
- Its objective is to assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human-induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
- The main activity of the IPCC is the preparation of reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change. These include assessment reports, special reports and methodology reports.