Agriculture and food systems are responsible for approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant contribution to climate change, and one that needs to be addressed urgently if we are to meet our climate goals. However, there are already several technologies available that can help to decarbonize the complex systems that link producers and consumers, and make our food systems much more resilient to global threats. Here are five that we think show tremendous potential.
Carbon farms and regenerative agriculture
Today, most of the greenhouse gas emissions linked with our food come from producing the food, and are emitted when the soils are plowed. This is important as undisturbed soils store carbon. Carbon farming and regenerative agriculture involve practices that work with nature to regenerate the health of soils, which in turn helps to store carbon. The idea that farmers can simply use more crop types may not seem technologically sophisticated, but it does work. And a new generation of smart farming tools, which includes farming equipment that uses big data and artificial intelligence, will soon help farmers adopt these practices that produce food and trap carbon.
Smart fertilizers
Fertilizers are often overapplied and not used by crops, ending up as pollution, either as greenhouse gases or water contaminants. But a new generation of fertilizers aims to fix these problems. Smart bio-fertilizers use micro-organisms that are bred or engineered to live in harmony with crops and capture nutrients from the environment, providing them to the crops without waste. This can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and improve the health of soils, leading to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Vertical farming
Most of the fresh produce eaten in Canada, northern United States and northern Europe comes from industrial farms in the southwestern United States or the southern hemisphere. The carbon footprint of this long-distance cold chain is large, and the quality of the produce is not always the best. A new generation of vertical farms aims to change this by using energy-efficient LED lights to produce year-round crops close to home. These controlled-environment agricultural facilities use less water and labor than conventional farms, and produce large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables on small plots of land.
Precision agriculture
Precision agriculture involves using data and technology to optimize crop yields while minimizing inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. This can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by making farming more efficient and sustainable. Technologies such as drones and sensors can be used to gather data on crops, while machine learning and artificial intelligence can help to analyze the data and provide insights to farmers. This can lead to more precise application of inputs, reducing waste and improving the health of soils.
more info at:
https://theconversation.com/5-technologies-that-will-help-make-the-food-system-carbon-neutral-182846
