Cleaning the Air: How Biochar Offers a Sustainable Solution to Agricultural Burning
In developing countries, air pollution has escalated to critical levels, devastating both the environment and public health. This alarming situation is significantly exacerbated by the rise in agricultural burning, a common practice for clearing fields and managing crop residues. The smoke and emissions resulting from this practice not only amplify greenhouse gas levels, but they also trigger severe respiratory problems and other health issues within local communities.
In this blog post, we delve into the major problems associated with smoke pollution while also exploring how biochar production offers a potential solution to eliminate the damaging practice of agricultural burning.
The Growing Crisis of Global Air Pollution
Air pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences for human health and well-being. According to alarming statistics, outdoor pollutants alone are responsible for over 4 million deaths annually, while indoor air pollution contributes to an additional 2.3 million fatalities each year. The toll on human health is staggering, causing a wide range of cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological diseases that afflict individuals across the globe.
The scale of air pollution’s impact on a global level is nothing short of staggering. According to estimates, an incredible 7.3 billion people worldwide are confronted with air pollution levels deemed unsafe by the World Health Organization (WHO). This corresponds to exposure to annual average PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 5 μg/m3, a threshold that has been linked to a 4 percent increase in mortality rates compared to areas with cleaner air.
Digging deeper into these numbers, approximately 6.2 billion people are directly exposed to at least moderate air pollution levels, with PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 10 μg/m3. This heightened exposure corresponds to an 8 percent increase in mortality risk. An even more alarming statistic emerges as 2.8 billion people find themselves living in areas with hazardous pollution levels, exceeding 35 μg/m3, and are subjected to a staggering 24 percent increase in mortality risk.
In stark contrast, 462 million people, representing a mere 6 percent of the global population, enjoy PM2.5 concentrations below the WHO’s “safe” threshold of 5 μg/m3. This unfortunate reality underscores the severity of the global air pollution crisis and the urgent need for comprehensive and effective interventions to safeguard public health.
Considering that the current global population stands at 7.7 billion, the sobering truth emerges: a staggering 94 percent of the world’s population is exposed to PM2.5 concentrations exceeding safe levels! This overwhelming prevalence of unsafe air quality levels highlights the dire need for immediate and decisive action on a global scale to curb air pollution’s adverse effects.
The Impact on Vulnerable Lower-Income Communities
Emerging evidence points to a stark reality: the burden of air pollution falls disproportionately on vulnerable lower-income and marginalised communities. This unequal distribution of exposure to and impact of air pollution is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention.
Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalised people bear the brunt of the burden, says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. If we don’t take urgent action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development.
Studies consistently reveal that air pollution is a leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries. Several factors contribute to the heightened concentration levels in these regions. For starters, less strict air quality regulations and the presence of older, more polluting machinery and vehicles exacerbate the problem. Densely populated urban areas with congested transport systems, and spiralling industrial sectors also play significant roles in intensifying air pollution levels.
Agriculture practices, such as cut-and-burn techniques, further contribute to the crisis by releasing vast amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. These practices are often employed by lower-income communities, making them not only victims of pollution but also inadvertently contributing to the problem due to their reliance on traditional agricultural methods.
Global and regional air pollution exposure
The pervasive impact of air pollution knows no boundaries, affecting billions of lives worldwide. Of the staggering 7.3 billion people exposed to unsafe PM2.5 levels, a significant 80 percent reside in low- and middle-income countries. The burden of this environmental crisis falls disproportionately on regions where economic growth and industrialisation have surged in recent decades, contributing to the proliferation of hazardous air pollutants.
South and East Asia, in particular, stand out as regions facing high levels of air pollution due to their rapidly growing economies and industrial activities. Notably, two economic powerhouses, China and India, emerge as the primary contributors to global exposure to PM2.5 concentrations above the WHO guidelines.
China, with its colossal population of 1.41 billion people, accounts for a substantial portion of the global burden, reflecting the consequences of its decades-long economic boom and industrial expansion. India, with a population of 1.36 billion, closely trails China in terms of exposure to hazardous PM2.5 levels. Together, these two nations alone account for a staggering 38 percent of the total global exposure to PM2.5 concentrations surpassing WHO guidelines.
Understanding the threat of PM2.5
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller that is most commonly created by burning fossil fuels. Despite its tiny size, PM2.5 poses a grave danger to human health and the environment. Due to their minuscule dimensions, these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing a range of health issues.
PM2.5 is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, heart attacks, and strokes. Additionally, these particles can carry harmful substances such as heavy metals and carcinogens, amplifying their adverse effects. As a major component of air pollution, controlling PM2.5 is vital to protect public health and combat the global air pollution crisis.
Environmental and Health Consequences of Agricultural Burning
Agricultural burning, a common practice to clear fields and manage crop residues in developing countries, has significant environmental and health consequences. The smoke and emissions released during burning contribute to air pollution, leading to the formation of harmful particulate matter (PM2.5) and greenhouse gasses. These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to climate change.
Moreover, the smoke contains harmful chemicals and toxins that can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and other health ailments in both agricultural workers and nearby communities. The widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives like biochar is crucial to mitigate the harmful impacts of agricultural burning on the environment and public health.
Introducing Biochar: A Green Alternative to Agricultural Burning
Biochar is a revolutionary and environmentally friendly solution that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional agricultural burning practices. It is a charcoal-like substance produced through the pyrolysis of organic agricultural waste, such as crop residues, wood chips, and manure. This process involves heating the biomass in a low-oxygen environment, which not only prevents the release of harmful smoke and emissions but also transforms the organic matter into a stable form of carbon.
The benefits of biochar extend far beyond its eco-friendly production process. When applied to soil, biochar serves as a powerful soil amendment, enhancing its fertility, structure, and water retention capacity. It provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms that promote plant growth and nutrient uptake. Furthermore, biochar has been found to sequester carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
Additionally, by replacing agricultural burning with biochar utilisation, the harmful smoke and emissions that contribute to air pollution are eliminated, leading to improved air quality and better respiratory health for both agricultural workers and nearby communities.
Biochar’s application in agriculture facilitates sustainable waste management by converting agricultural residues into a valuable resource instead of allowing them to contribute to pollution. This closed-loop system promotes circular economy principles, reducing waste and improving resource efficiency.
The role of smallholder farmers in developing countries
A smallholder farmer is an individual or family who owns and operates a small plot of land for agricultural production. Typically, smallholder farmers cultivate relatively small areas of land, often less than a few hectares, and rely on traditional farming methods. They usually engage in subsistence farming, producing crops primarily for their own consumption or for sale in local markets.
There are millions of smallholder farmers in developing countries, where they play a crucial role in providing food security for rural communities and contributing to the local economy. However, they often face challenges such as limited access to resources, credit, and modern agricultural technologies.
Biochar presents a transformative opportunity for these farmers to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development. Through the production of biochar, smallholder farmers can tap into a new income stream by selling this valuable material to corporate C-sink buyers. This creates economic opportunities and generates jobs within these communities, empowering farmers and bolstering local economies.
Harnessing Biochar to Create a Sustainable Future
By replacing harmful agricultural burning practices with biochar adoption, we can improve air quality, protect vulnerable communities, and enhance soil health. Empowering farmers through biochar production not only mitigates climate change but also fosters economic growth and resilient livelihoods.
As we scale up biochar adoption globally, collaborating with communities and governments, we pave the way towards a greener, healthier, and more sustainable world. Together, let us embrace biochar as a crucial step in our journey towards a cleaner and brighter future for generations to come.
If you’d like more more information on how Biochar Life are working with smallholder farmers, get in touch for your free Carbon Village concept paper: hello@biochar.life
