Evaluating the Role of Agriculture in Air Quality and Climate Change

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas, while carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are all greenhouse gases emitted by agriculture.

Fertilizer application, particularly the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, can release nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, which is a potent greenhouse gas and air pollutant.

Agriculture contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone through the release of ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are all precursors to ozone formation.

Using feed additives, improving manure management, and reducing the number of livestock can all help reduce methane emissions from livestock.

Agriculture contributes to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases, the conversion of forests to agricultural land, and the use of fossil fuels.

Increased crop yields are not a potential impact of climate change on agriculture, as climate change is generally expected to have negative impacts on crop yields.

Climate-smart agriculture is the term used to describe the practice of managing agricultural land to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

Using nitrification inhibitors, applying manure at the right time and rate, and planting cover crops can all help reduce nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture.

Agriculture contributes to the release of ammonia into the atmosphere through the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, the decomposition of manure, and the volatilization of ammonia from livestock urine.

Increased soil erosion is not a potential benefit of climate-smart agriculture, as climate-smart agriculture is designed to protect and improve soil health.

Livestock digestion is the primary source of methane emissions from agriculture, as methane is a byproduct of the digestive process in ruminant animals.

Agriculture contributes to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere through the application of pesticides, the decomposition of crop residues, and the volatilization of VOCs from livestock.

Improved animal welfare is not a potential impact of climate change on livestock production, as climate change is generally expected to have negative impacts on animal welfare.

4R Nutrient Stewardship is the term used to describe the practice of reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops, while still ensuring that crops receive the nutrients they need.

Agriculture contributes to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, the decomposition of organic matter, and the respiration of livestock.