Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Agricultural Systems and Climate Change Effects in Sub- Saharan Africa

Abstract

Climate change has been viewed to result from anthropogenic human activities that have significantly altered the Nitrogen (N) cycle and carbon cycles, increasing the risks of global warming and pollution. A key cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions including methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon among others. The context of this chapter is based on a comprehensive desktop review on published scientific papers on climate change, greenhouse emissions, agricultural fertilizer use, modeling and projections of greenhouse gases emissions. Interestingly, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the least emissions of the greenhouses gases accounting for only 7% of the total world’s emissions, implying that there is overall very little contribution yet it has the highest regional burden concerning climate change impacts. However, the values could be extremely higher than this due to lack of proper estimation and measurement tools in the region and therefore, caution needs to be taken early enough to avoid taking the trend currently experienced in developed nations. In SSA, agricultural production is the leading sector in emissions of N compound to the atmosphere followed by energy and transportation. The greatest challenge lies in the management of the two systems to ensure sufficiency in food production using more bioenergy hence less pollution. Integrating livestock and cropping systems is one strategy that can reduce methane emissions. Additionally, developing fertilizer use policy to improve management of fertilizer and organic manure have been potentially considered as effective in reducing the effects of agriculture activities on climate change and hence the main focus of the current chapter.

Survival through Bildung

“…While a different more sustainable path to assured survival and the good life is needed, mitigating already worsening climate change effects on African food production is required now (Bello-Bravo et al, 2022). These impacts on food security and resilience involve (1) environmental degradation (e.g., desertification, soil degradation, worsening droughts) (Ntinyari & Gweyi-Onyango, 2021), (2) increased crop predation by insect pests (including newly invasive ones likely due to climate change) (Akeme et al, 2021;, (3) successful but insufficiently scaled-up crop improvements that show promise but are likely too expensive, not extensible enough, or remain in their prototype/development phases (Abegunde & Obi, 2022;Barasa et al, 2021;Kuyah et al, 2021;Mizik, 2021), and (4) poorly executed or unsuitable technological interventions or crop conversions of land that have actually left areas worse off than before the intervention. As Corntassel (2008) notes, "Unfortunately, what is considered sustainable practice by states comes at a high price for indigenous communities, often leading to the further degradation of their homelands and natural resources" (p. 108).…”

Research on Environmental Change and Sustainability

“…The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased as a result of human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial operations. [5]. This increase in greenhouse gas concentrations has caused the Earth's average temperature to rise, resulting in a variety of impacts such as more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events, sea-level rise, loss of biodiversity and changes in ecosystems, among others.…”

Smallholder Farmers' Vulnerability to Climate Change and Variability: Evidence from Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia

“…Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their dependence on subsistence agriculture and limited adaptive capacity to respond to changes in weather patterns and climate-related risks (Serdeczny et al, 2017;Mashizha, 2019;Pereira, 2017) Climate change has led to food and nutritional insecurity in Africa by reducing crop yields, animal production, and rangeland productivity, leading to higher prices and limited access to agricultural products and services (IPCC, 2022Baarsch et al, 2019Egeru et al, 2019). Climate change has led to disasters in Africa such as species extinction, food and energy insecurity, malnutrition, and loss of livelihood due to decreasing food production (Ntinyari & Gweyi-Onyango, 2021;Stuch et al, 2021;Gizaw & Gan, 2017). It has also exacerbated poverty by slowing economic development and increasing inequality (IPCC, 2022;Baptista et al, 2022;Maino & Emrullahu, 2022).…”