In recent decades, the planet has seen an alarming change in global temperatures, ocean levels and greenhouse gas emissions. These long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns are often referred to as climate change. Climate change is dramatically impacted by human actions and has been the main cause since the 1800s and the Industrial Revolution, according to the United Nations. Climate change has impacted several countries, causing droughts, wildfires and dangerous temperatures. The consequences of human actions have had a lasting effect on socio-economic and agricultural issues.
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the U.S. and is also a major contributor to climate change. Climate change is a growing problem in the U.S. and affects Wisconsin, as it is heavily dependent on agriculture. Many farming communities in Stoughton are affected by global warming.
Sam White, the agriculture teacher at Stoughton High School, grew up on a farm, raising livestock and growing crops. White says, “Extreme weather events like tornadoes, all times of year, hail storms, high winds. Those can really impact our crops. They can do damage that we can’t replace. We can’t start over mid-summer if the crops are damaged. So that’s one of the biggest things.” Other parts of the country, especially southern and south-western states, are heavily affected due to the hot and dry climate, which is only made worse by climate change. Drought combats these areas and kills crops. Though drought is a problem, too much rain also causes damage: mold, suffocating roots, decreased nutrient intake, and stunted growth.
With the increased rate of global warming, agricultural jobs may decrease and be heavily affected. However, White says, “The thing about agriculture jobs is they’re always going to exist, no matter what we do with AI and all of that, AG jobs always have to be there. Someone has to be growing our food. I don’t know if climate change necessarily has to do with the agriculture jobs. I don’t think it will have a negative or positive effect. I think it’ll just kind of remain neutral.”
On the other hand, agriculture has been known to contribute to climate change through significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane from livestock and carbon dioxide from farm equipment and machinery. One cow alone emits 154 to 264 pounds of methane per year, totaling 231 billion pounds per year, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Farmers overbreed cattle to provide beef and dairy products for nearly 9 in 10 Americans, who consume about 60 pounds of beef per person, says the USDA. The increasing need for cattle increases methane emissions.
Fertilizers for plants contain nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 3 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Fertilizer runoff causes algae blooms, which release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere and water, making the water more acidic. This is no friend to marine life. Plant fertilizers also degrade soil, which alters soil structure, reduces organic matter, causes nutrient imbalances, and increases the risk of erosion. Agricultural practices, such as fertilizers, seem to help, but only continue and worsen the cycle of climate change affecting agriculture, and vice versa.
With America so reliant on agriculture, farms need more and more land to grow crops and raise livestock. 90% of deforestation is the clearing of forests and ecosystems for new plots of land. Around 880 million acres of land are used for farming in the U.S., which is roughly 39% of the nation’s total land area.
Farming tactics need to be modified to adapt to the challenging times our climate is facing. Agriculture is the backbone of the U.S. and needs to be preserved. It needs to be realized that doing the same things over and over again won’t get you a different result. Stop the cycle; it needs to end fast and end now.
How to help save planet Earth:
Conserve energy: Turning off lights when you leave a room saves electricity and reduces electricity bills. Using LED light bulbs is initially more expensive than incandescent ones, but they last significantly longer, therefore saving you more money and energy. Using gas-powered appliances is more dangerous, as they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, increase the risk of fire, worsen air quality, and emit more carbon than electric appliances. In the end, electric appliances are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Drive less: Carpooling with friends and family is not only a great way to socialize, but also saves on time, gas, and carbon emissions. Feel free to crank some Taylor Swift on the radio and sing along with some buddies, because you just might be helping save the planet. Carpool karaoke for the win! Riding a bike or walking to destinations closer to your house is great exercise and a time to enjoy the fresh air you helped preserve by choosing not to drive.
Stop using AI: AI may seem like a useful tool, but in the end, it is only causing destruction. AI emits enormous amounts of methane and generates substantial amounts of electronic waste. It uses tens of thousands of gallons of water daily for cooling, 80% is evaporated, losing water molecules along the way, and 20% is turned into wastewater. Can the benefit of AI truly outweigh the cost? AI is terrible for the environment and terrible for human intelligence.
Compost/recycle: Composting fruits and vegetables returns nutrients to the soil and eliminates excessive food waste. Recycle paper/cardboard, metal/aluminum, glass, and other items, such as electronics and plastic, that require special handling and must be taken to specialized centers. Each recyclable item needs to follow these three rules: empty, clean, and dry. You can find numbers (Resin Identification Codes, aka RICs) on plastic products, which can be more tedious to recycle. 1s and 2s are most commonly accepted for curbside bins, but 3s-7s are harder to recycle and require further steps.
Buy less: Avoid fast fashion and limit the amount of clothes you buy, so there is less demand and production, and fewer clothes in landfills. Shop locally at smaller stores and secondhand shops to limit fashion pollution. Additionally, donating to secondhand shops is key. Secondhand shops are also cheaper, and you can find one-of-a-kind pieces. Restricting what you buy and how much you buy can be beneficial both financially and environmentally.
Reuse/repurpose: Finding new ways to repurpose old clothes and household items not only reduces waste but also saves money. You can use the yarn from an old sweater to make something new, turn an old can into a pencil holder, or use old jeans to make a book bag. Don’t be afraid to be creative, because creativity means being eco-friendly.
Plants, plants, plants: Beautify your home with nature’s decorations: plants. Planting a garden can mean planting an oasis and a grocery store all in one! Want to freshen the air in your home and help limit carbon in the atmosphere? Well, plants can be a cheap way for you to give back to the planet. Planting trees is even better! Trees provide homes for animals and shade for hot summers and sometimes hot winters. Don’t have a green thumb? Dead plants can be composted and return nutrients to the soil, which is still a win!
Donate: Donate to environmental clubs, the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, Sustain Dane, and schools to help them implement environmental policies and rules. Donating to or volunteering at animal rescues and sanctuaries, or “adopting” an endangered animal, is also a noble act.
Protest: Go to your representatives and demand a change in how they “respect” the environment. Protesting may seem minor, but it helps a lot more than you think. Organize a protest or spread the word; both are helpful. So, help the cause and protest!
Climate change has impacted the lives of thousands of people around the world. Climate change has drastic effects on agriculture by impacting crop fields, disrupting growing seasons, and causing extreme weather events like wildfires and droughts. However, it is still possible to stop some of the effects of climate change. People around the world have the ability to take action in many ways including using electrical vehicles, recycling and protesting.
