Emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) by humans has increased 40 per cent in the past 40 years, according to a new report. The second-ever global nitrous oxide budget also found the rate of annual growth in emissions of N2O is increasing, with agriculture being a major source.
Known as the ”forgotten greenhouse gas”, N2O has 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide (CO2). It’s creation as a by-product of nitrogen-based fertiliser usage around the world has made it one of the top greenhouse gases subject to global targets.
Professor Peter Grace researches greenhouse gas in the agriculture sector, and said it was not surprising there had been an increase in N2O emissions. He said more nitrogen fertilisers were being used to increase production to help grow food for a growing world population.
For more information, visit the ABC News website.