It goes without saying that we need to do our part to fight climate change, and organic farming is a significant step in reducing the impacts of climate change by improving the conditions of the soil and the produce. Most of us prefer organic products from a health perspective as it helps avoid toxic exposure to pesticides and genetically modified organism (GMO). On looking at agriculture from the environmental perspective, it becomes clear that agriculture is one of the main contributors to global warming. Farm animals and also nitrogen-based fertilizers generate greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide and methane. According to Brian Colombana, conventional farming methods reduce the amount of carbon in the soil, and encouraging forestation and planting more trees is the way to mitigate carbon emissions.
Climate change poses too many risks for farmers and ranchers as it endangers water, soil, and also other food production resources. Raining livestock and growing crops have become harder due to heatwaves, droughts, rising temperatures, and storms. Organic farming can improve soil quality and its resilience, reduce carbon emissions and do a lot more to manage climate change better.
The positive impact of organic farming on the environment and how it helps fight climate change will be clear ongoing through this article.
Healthy soils are more resilient
Organic farming needs healthy soils that have good tilth or structure to absorb. And retain moisture, maintain adequate aeration, drain well. And support deep, healthy systems for crop roots. During dry spells, such soils sustain crops ass it undergoes less ponding and needs less water for irrigation. While creating good bonding that prevents soil erosion due to heavy rains. It is essential to maintain and maximize biodiversity, keep the soil covered, minimize disturbance. And also maintain living roots to support healthy soils. It leads to a resilient farming system. Maintaining the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological condition depends on other factors. Like crop rotation and cropping, nutrient management, tillage, and other practices confirms Brian Colombana.
Healthy soils contain more carbon
Soils and living plants are most effective in removing excess carbon dioxide from the environment. Despite the need for disturbing the soil physically for weed control. Organic farming systems can reduce tillage considerably by eliminating the use of chemicals and also other synthetic inputs. It improves climate resiliency as the livestock and crops can withstand the harsh climates of high temperature without much difficulty. Added to this are the other positive effects of nutrient management, cover cropping, and also crop diversification. That enhances the soil’s ability to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and also store it. Thereby reducing the carbon footprint.
Reduced greenhouse gases
Organic farming does away with pesticides and also synthetic fertilizers, which are rich sources of greenhouse gases. The absence of foreign substances in the soil helps crops to obtain a steady supply of phosphorus, nitrogen. And also other nutrients produced by the organic matter present in the soil. It eliminates the need for fertilizers that increase the release of greenhouse gases from soil and affects the water quality.
The diversity of plants and animals prevent pest outbreak and diseases.