agriculture
Newsletter
Climate-friendly eating is already happening, one farm at a time
Ecologist Mark Easter’s new book, The Blue Plate, shows how small shifts in farming and food consumption can help curb climate change by reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint.
In short:
- Easter breaks down the environmental impact of common U.S. foods, from bread to meat, showing how emissions are tied to every step of the food chain.
- The book highlights small-scale agricultural innovations across the U.S. that reduce emissions, arguing these changes can be scaled up.
- Easter draws on personal history, linking today’s climate challenges to practices like those from his great-grandmother’s time during the Dust Bowl.
Key quote:
“We’re basically trying to tally the flow of carbon and nitrogen back and forth between the Earth and the atmosphere... Do we have too much flowing in the wrong directions?”
— Mark Easter, ecologist and author.
Why this matters:
The way we produce and consume food plays a key role in climate change. By adopting sustainable farming methods, even small shifts can help restore soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat global warming.
Learn more:
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Food waste and agriculture are major drivers of methane emissions
Researchers have found that human activities, especially food production and waste, are responsible for two-thirds of global methane emissions, offering a chance for intervention.
In short:
- Global methane emissions have risen rapidly, with agriculture and waste contributing nearly twice as much as fossil fuel production.
- Livestock farming, particularly cattle and sheep, is the largest agricultural source of methane, with dietary changes and innovations like seaweed feed additives as potential solutions.
- Managing food waste better, such as through composting, can also significantly reduce methane emissions.
Key quote:
Reducing methane "is also seen as a possible way to buy time.”
— Peter Raymond, professor of ecosystem ecology at the Yale School of the Environment
Why this matters:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat much more effectively than CO2, though it has a shorter lifespan. Reducing methane emissions can provide a faster impact in slowing global warming, making it a key target for climate action.
Learn more: How the world wastes an astonishing amount of food, in three charts
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Low water levels disrupt transportation on the Mississippi River
For the third consecutive year, drought in the Midwest is driving down water levels in the Mississippi River, hampering the transport of fuel and grain and pushing businesses to find alternatives.
In short:
- Drought conditions in the Midwest have lowered Mississippi River water levels since mid-July, causing transportation delays and increased costs for goods like grain and fuel.
- Barge operators are facing rising costs, with barge rates increasing by 57% compared to the three-year average, leading to higher shipping expenses for businesses.
- Climate scientists warn that alternating wet and dry conditions may become more common as climate change affects regional weather patterns.
Key quote:
“This was front and center for us. One of the main things that we talked about were these rapid oscillations … between wet to dry and dry to wet extremes..”
— Aaron Wilson, Ohio’s state climatologist and a professor at Ohio State University
Why this matters:
The Mississippi River plays a crucial role in U.S. agricultural exports. Prolonged disruptions could hurt U.S. farmers, especially soy growers, and allow foreign competitors to gain an advantage in the global market.
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Virginia farmers struggle with heat and drought during tough growing season
A combination of extreme heat and prolonged drought devastated Virginia vegetable crops this summer, forcing farmers to adjust their methods in hopes of preserving their harvests.
In short:
- Virginia vegetable farmers faced one of the driest and hottest summers on record, severely impacting crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
- Flash droughts, intensified by climate change, quickly developed and worsened, leaving plants without sufficient moisture during key growth periods.
- Some farmers experimented with no-till farming and irrigation but found these methods insufficient without more consistent rainfall.
Key quote:
“This growing season had a drought that was combined with an incredibly long hot spell, and that was the real problem.”
— Hana Newcomb, farmer at Potomac Vegetable Farms
Why this matters:
The increasing frequency of flash droughts threatens food security by destabilizing growing seasons. Climate change is making weather patterns more unpredictable, leaving farmers vulnerable to crop failures without long-term solutions.
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Methane emissions are rising at a record-breaking pace
Methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, is increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, driven by fossil fuel use, agriculture and landfills, threatening global climate goals.
In short:
- Methane levels are rising faster than ever, and scientists warn this could push global temperatures beyond safe limits.
- Livestock, landfills and natural gas consumption are key contributors to methane emissions, which increased 20% from 2000 to 2020.
- Human activity is also amplifying methane emissions from natural ecosystems like lakes and wetlands.
Key quote:
“These extra methane emissions bring the temperature thresholds ever closer.”
— Rob Jackson, Stanford University climate scientist and chair of the Global Carbon Project
Why this matters:
Methane traps 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide, making it a major driver of short-term climate change. Reducing methane emissions is one of the quickest ways to slow global warming, but current efforts are falling far short.
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Credit: Cristina Anne Costello/Unsplash
Heavy rains threaten traditional Oneida corn harvest
Torrential spring rains devastated the Oneida Nation’s white corn crop in Wisconsin, posing challenges for Indigenous farmers as they face increasingly unpredictable weather linked to climate change.
In short:
- Unseasonable rains wiped out much of the white corn, a culturally significant crop, leaving little to harvest.
- The Oneida community is adapting by using sustainable farming techniques like cover crops to improve soil resilience.
- Despite their efforts, traditional methods struggle against the unpredictable climate, impacting both crops and cultural traditions.
Key quote:
“We’re really up against some pretty serious odds with climate change. There’s a lot at stake.”
— Lea Zeise, co-coordinator of Ohe·láku, a non-profit that works with the families planting crops
Why this matters:
The Oneida people rely on white corn not just for food, but for cultural and communal events. As climate change worsens, Indigenous farming practices, though rooted in sustainability, may not fully protect crops from extreme weather, threatening both food security and cultural preservation.
Related:
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EU countries pledge to boost water-saving tech as droughts rise
Southern EU nations agreed to develop water-saving technologies in agriculture to mitigate the worsening effects of climate change, which threatens food security in the region.
In short:
- Officials from nine southern EU countries met in Cyprus to discuss climate-related droughts impacting agriculture.
- They committed to sharing data and research, developing water-efficient farming and creating crops that can withstand harsh conditions.
- Ministers called for increased EU funding to support these initiatives and attract younger farmers.
Key quote:
“Climate change is a real threat to food production worldwide, and this risk is even more severe in the Mediterranean area.”
— Luis Planas, Spain’s Agriculture Minister
Why this matters:
Rising droughts could devastate food supplies in Mediterranean regions, threatening both local economies and global food security. Adaptation to new climate conditions is essential for long-term agricultural sustainability.
Related EHN coverage:
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