Bridging the gap between agriculture and climate: Mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers

Abstract The climate crisis has long been a looming threat. While focus has been on carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas with 298 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide and deserves attention. Almost three quarters of nitrous oxide is emitted from agricultural soil management, including the use of nitrogenous fertilizers. The inherent connection between agriculture and climate not only reveals the problems but also the solutions. Managing soil health especially nitrogenous compounds can reduce nitrous oxide emissions, fertilizer input, and costs to farmers. Concerns about climate are directly tied to food production, and a growing population will only exacerbate the situation: approximately half of food production currently relies on fertilizers, and the expected doubling of food demand in the forthcoming years will augment this reliance on fertilizers for sustaining and increasing yields. Now, more than ever, understanding and preserving soil nutrient health with relation to fertilizer use is necessary. While conservation efforts have been made, there is a lack of attention toward fertilizers and nitrous oxide. This article explores the technological advancements of the field including biotechnology, electrochemistry, enhanced fertilizer products, and farming practices that have the potential to limit fertilizer use, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and create greener fertilizer production processes. Policy and research gaps are unraveled to reveal that the federal government should address these issues through the following policy recommendations: Improving Current USDA Conservation Programs. Increasing access to current conservation programs and measuring effectiveness of these programs. Farm Bill Updates for 2023. Reauthorizing the Farm Bill to include appropriations for market creation and adaptation, increasing nutrient management plans, and standardized labeling. Expansion of State Fertilizer Programs. Using current state legislation, other states should expand their fertilizer oversight, value land grant universities, and recognize AAPFCO guidance. Increasing Sustainable Domestic Production of Fertilizers. Decreasing reliance on other nations and controlling production processes for sustainable production. Congressional Approval for Authorizing EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation. Clarifying EPA authority on how to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrous oxide. These recommendations will allow for the necessary education and oversight of fertilizer production and use and related technologies, which directly impact nitrous oxide production from agricultural soils. While solving the climate crisis is multifaceted, attention must be drawn to the agricultural sector and using practices that reduce nitrous oxide emissions while ensuring crop yields to sustain the population.