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protecting yields, protecting livelihoods
From high in the mountains of Vietnam to the bustling streets of Mexico, rice is a common crop that has become a beloved food staple found across the world. Not only is it the foundation of many significant cultural dishes, being a staple crop for more than half of the world’s population, but rice cultivation also supports the livelihood of 144 million resource-poor smallholder farmers across the world. The cultural and socioeconomic value of rice is undeniable; however, its environmental impact is often overlooked.
The link to climate change
The link to climate change
Current rice farming practices pose many threats to the environment, such as drawing from increasingly scarce water sources, agrochemical pollution, and being the second-largest source of man-made methane emissions.
Atmospheric methane (CH4) is recognized as one of the most significant greenhouse gases and may account for 20% of anticipated global warming. Coupled with that, our emissions have only grown.
From 1961 to 2016, anthropogenic GHG emissions associated with agricultural production have grown from 3.1 GtCO2-eq yr–1 to 5.8 GtCO2-eq yr–1, with the increase mainly attributed to livestock, synthetic fertiliser, and rice cultivation. The way rice is traditionally farmed across the world involves flooding rice fields to manage weeds and pests. However, these conditions create an environment where microbes feed off decaying plant matter and release methane.
Farming rice is a double-edged sword
Farming rice is a double-edged sword
While cultivating rice is linked to global warming, it is also incredibly vulnerable to the threats of climate change. A majority of rice farming exists in regions that are the most vulnerable to drought, extreme flooding, and severe heat.
With the interconnected relationship between agriculture and global warming as well as the risks posed to our ability to farm rice, it is key that we understand how we can adopt resilient farming practices that support farmer livelihoods and ensure food security, while minimizing harm to the planet.
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