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The earth is covered by a blanket of gases collectively called the atmosphere, which allow light energy from the Sun to reach the Earth’s surface, where it is converted to heat energy. Most of the heat is re-radiated towards space, but some is trapped by gases (known as Greenhouse Gases), in the lower part of the atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect, a natural process that keeps the Earth some 33°C warmer that it otherwise would be, thereby enabling it to sustain life. How much greenhouse gas does the rice industry emit? The answer is - not as much as we first thought. In rice, methane is considered the main contributor to greenhouse gases and is produced by bacteria in the anaerobic environment. Water management, soil structure, gypsum applications and the amount of stubble incorporation that occurs can affect the level of methane emissions. In lesser quantities, nitrous oxide can also be produced. Rice cultivation in Australia produces about 75% less methane than other rice growing nations and this makes up only 1% of the emissions from all of Australian agriculture. On any type of farm, the use of fertilisers and fuel and emissions from livestock also contribute to the amount of greenhouse gas produced. The Greenhouse Challenge
Demonstrating its commitment to this program, the Australian rice industry, in conjunction with Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation (Environmental) has developed a comprehensive Greenhouse Strategy that identifies the main contributors to greenhouse emissions and developed strategies to reduce those emissions. Electronic Score Card An innovative electronic scorecard has been designed, allowing farmers to input their production data and calculate their emissions in a typical year. Measures are then implemented to reduce these emissions. The six general areas associated with a typical rice farm that have a potential impact on the greenhouse effect are:
The Greenhouse Action Plan, delivered through the Environmental Champions Program, will recognise growers for their contributions to reducing greenhouse emissions. The actions within the plan focus on cost-effective measures that abate greenhouse gas emissions. The focus of achieving abatement will be on improvement in energy efficiency and waste management by coordinating current research into improving on farm efficiencies with those recommended by the Greenhouse Challenge. The processing side of the rice industry has also implemented measures to reduce the greenhouse gases produced in the milling and packaging processes. |
RICE & THE ENVIRONMENT |
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What is the Global Warming Effect?
Greenhouse Strategy