OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Cool farming: Climate impacts of agriculture and mitigation potential, a report by Greenpeace reveals how industrial agriculture is causing climate destruction and presents workable solutions in order to minimise the damage.

The report estimates that agriculture and animal farming account for about 17% to 32% of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Overuse of fertilizers, pesticides, soil degradation and intensive animal farming contribute in killing the environment.

The report says that agriculture has significant climate change mitigation potential and outlines possible solutions like adopting such agricultural techniques that are climate friendly and do not harp on energy and chemically intensive practices.

It points out comprehensively some of the measures like improving rice production, enriching soil using crop covers, cutting down meat demand, etc. without compromising on food security. The report stresses upon using traditional practices and local seed varieties in favour of costly and environmentally damaging options such as genetically engineered organisms.

To prevent devastating effects of agriculture on the climate, the report calls upon the government agencies to take initiative to promote eco-friendly technologies that are in sync with needs of local communities as well.

It is primarily the responsibility of the governments across the globe and the international institutions to reduce the risks to climate from harmful agricultural practices. The need of the hour is to conserve biodiversity.

Source: Greenpeace