Ateam of University of Illinois researchers led by professors Richard Mulvaney, Saeed Khan, and Tim Ellsworth state that Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers promote loss of soil carbon and organic nitrogen. This creates a Global Dilemma for Sustainable Cereal Production.
Synthetic nitrogen’s effect on carbon sequestration swings from being an important ecological advantage to perhaps its gravest liability. Not only would nitrogen fertilizer be contributing to climate change in a way not previously taken into account, but it would also be undermining the long-term productivity of the soil.
Fertilizer application begins the destruction of soil biodiversity by diminishing the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and amplifying the role of everything that feeds on nitrogen. These feeders then speed up the decomposition of organic matter and humus. As organic matter decreases, the physical structure of soil changes. With less pore space and less of their sponge-like qualities, soils are less efficient at storing water and air. More irrigation is needed. Water leeches through soils, draining away nutrients that no longer have an effective substrate on which to cling. With less available oxygen the growth of soil microbiology slows, and the intricate ecosystem of biological exchanges breaks down. read more ...New research: synthetic nitrogen destroys soil carbon, undermines soil health | The N2 Dilemma: Is America Fertilizing Disaster? | Grist
Fight global warming and food shortage with biochar:
Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010
Bill Gates believes that climate change is the most important challenge on the planet.
On Friday, the world's most successful businessperson and most powerful philanthropist did something outstandingly bold, that went almost unremarked: Bill Gates announced that his top priority is getting the world to zero climate emissions.
He now believes that climate change is the most important challenge on the planet. See full story...
Worldchanging: Bright Green: Bill Gates: the Most Important Climate Speech of the Year
He now believes that climate change is the most important challenge on the planet. See full story...
Worldchanging: Bright Green: Bill Gates: the Most Important Climate Speech of the Year
The attack on climate science is the O.J. moment of the 21st century | Grist
The attack on climate science is the O.J. moment of the 21st century | Grist
Why we don’t want to believe in climate change
The climate deniers come with a few built-in advantages. Thanks to ExxonMobil and others with a vested interest in debunking climate-change research, their “think tanks” have plenty of money, none of which gets wasted doing actual research to disprove climate change. It’s also useful for a movement to have its own TV network, Fox, though even more crucial to the denial movement are a few right-wing British tabloids that validate each new “scandal” and put it into media play.
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