Carbon Emission
There is a consensus among scientists that ever-increasing carbon dioxide emission is the primary source for climate change. We all contribute to climate change, which is caused by high levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that build up in the atmosphere and absorb the sun’s heat.
In agriculture, tilling (ploughing), fertilizers, fuels and other tools cause greenhouse gas emission. However, among industries, agriculture has a unique position with its capability to remove just as many greenhouse gases as it emits.
Glyphosate enables farmers to continue their cultivations without the need to till or plough. When farmers don’t till or reduce tilling (ploughing), they help soil retain higher water and moisture levels. Increased moisture in the ground means that rainfall water can be easily taken up by crops and it reduces runoff which in turn reduces the need for irrigation. Furthermore, increased fuel usage and decreased soil carbon sequestration would lead to an increase of carbon emissions, equal to the equivalent of adding 11.77 million cars to the roads.
References
- Graham Brookes, Farzad Taheripour, and Wallace E. Tyner; 2017. The contribution of glyphosate to agriculture and potential impact of restrictions on use at the global level: GM Crops Food. 2017; 8(4): 216–228.