This chapter explores the different relationship between pesticides and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the complex and often underappreciated contributions of pesticides to climate change. Pesticide production, characterized by energy-intensive processes and reliance on fossil fuels, significantly contributes to CO₂ emissions. The use and degradation of pesticides further amplify GHG emissions through soil microbial disturbances and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Pesticides disrupt soil carbon dynamics by hindering microbial activity essential for organic matter decomposition and carbon sequestration. The influence of pesticides on nitrogen cycling exacerbates nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, a potent GHG. Furthermore, the role of pesticides in enabling land-use changes, such as deforestation for monoculture crops, underscores their indirect contributions to GHG emissions. These factors collectively stress the need for sustainable pest management practices that reduce pesticide dependence while maintaining agricultural productivity. This chapter also explores the potential of alternative pest management strategies, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming, which offer sustainable solutions with fewer environmental repercussions. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis underscores the urgent need for policy shifts, research advancements, and global cooperation to mitigate the environmental impact of pesticides and enhance agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.

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Pesticide Contributions to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Gabriel Gbenga Babaniyi,
  • Ulelu Jessica Akor,
  • Abdulhameed Adewale Odeseye

摘要

This chapter explores the different relationship between pesticides and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the complex and often underappreciated contributions of pesticides to climate change. Pesticide production, characterized by energy-intensive processes and reliance on fossil fuels, significantly contributes to CO₂ emissions. The use and degradation of pesticides further amplify GHG emissions through soil microbial disturbances and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Pesticides disrupt soil carbon dynamics by hindering microbial activity essential for organic matter decomposition and carbon sequestration. The influence of pesticides on nitrogen cycling exacerbates nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, a potent GHG. Furthermore, the role of pesticides in enabling land-use changes, such as deforestation for monoculture crops, underscores their indirect contributions to GHG emissions. These factors collectively stress the need for sustainable pest management practices that reduce pesticide dependence while maintaining agricultural productivity. This chapter also explores the potential of alternative pest management strategies, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming, which offer sustainable solutions with fewer environmental repercussions. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis underscores the urgent need for policy shifts, research advancements, and global cooperation to mitigate the environmental impact of pesticides and enhance agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.