Agricultural activity contributes to global warming in several ways:

Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agricultural land releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Livestock production: The production of livestock, particularly cattle, produces large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Fertilizer use: The production and use of synthetic fertilizers releases nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Soil management: Agricultural practices that disturb the soil, such as plowing, can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Transportation and energy use: Agriculture requires transportation and energy use, both of which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Overall, agricultural activity is estimated to be responsible for approximately 10-12% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Agriculture is one of the oldest and most important human activities, providing the necessary food and materials to sustain human life. However, the agricultural sector is also a significant contributor to global warming, through the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are emitted during various agricultural activities. In this paper, we will discuss the ways in which agricultural activity contributes to global warming, with reference to scholarly sources.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture:

Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture occur during various stages of the agricultural process, including crop cultivation, livestock production, and fertilizer use. The main greenhouse gases emitted by agriculture are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). CO2 is emitted during the production of fertilizers, and during the use of fossil fuels in agriculture. Methane is emitted by livestock during digestion, and during manure management. Nitrous oxide is emitted during the application of fertilizers to crops and during manure management (IPCC, 2019).

In addition, agriculture also contributes to global warming through deforestation and land-use changes. The clearing of forests for agricultural use reduces the amount of carbon stored in forests, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Land-use changes also contribute to the loss of soil organic carbon, which is an important store of carbon in the soil (FAO, 2019).

Impact of Agricultural Emissions on Climate Change:

The emissions from agriculture have a significant impact on climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), agriculture is responsible for approximately 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2019). These emissions contribute to the warming of the planet, leading to various negative impacts, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and the loss of biodiversity (IPCC, 2018).

Mitigation Strategies:

There are various strategies that can be employed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. These include reducing fertilizer use, improving manure management practices, reducing the number of livestock, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources in agriculture. Additionally, sustainable land management practices, such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry, can help to sequester carbon in the soil and reduce emissions from deforestation (FAO, 2019).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, agricultural activity contributes significantly to global warming, through the production of greenhouse gases and land-use changes. The impact of these emissions on climate change is significant, leading to various negative impacts on the environment and human society. However, there are various mitigation strategies that can be employed to reduce these emissions and help to mitigate the impacts of climate change. These strategies must be implemented on a global scale to ensure that agriculture can continue to provide food and materials to sustain human life, while also reducing its impact on the environment.

References:

FAO. (2019). Climate change and agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/climate-change/en/

IPCC. (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

IPCC. (2019). Climate change and land. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/