Preventing Nitrogen Pollution: Tips For Cleaner Air

Nitrogen pollution is a pressing issue that threatens our environment, health, climate, and ecosystems. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, and while it is essential for life on Earth, excess nitrogen in the environment can be hazardous.

- Reduce car use: Transportation is a major contributor to nitrogen oxide emissions, so opting for public transportation, carpooling, or active commuting can help reduce nitrogen pollution.

- Embrace renewable energy: Switching to renewable energy sources like solar power can significantly lower harmful emissions.

- Consume less meat and dairy: Livestock farming is a significant source of nitrogen pollution, so reducing meat and dairy consumption can help lower nitrogen emissions.

- Eat local and organic produce: Locally sourced and organically grown produce reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and transportation, which contribute to nitrogen pollution.

- Advocate for change: Individuals can play a role in raising awareness, supporting sustainable agriculture, and pushing for policies that address nitrogen pollution.

Reduce use of synthetic fertilisers

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, and nitrogen-based synthetic fertilisers are used extensively in modern farming to increase crop yields. However, the over-use of these fertilisers is a significant contributor to nitrogen pollution in the air.

To reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers, individuals can:

• Support farmers who use nature-friendly methods that don't rely on synthetic fertilisers. For example, farmers can adopt nature-friendly methods such as rotating nitrogen-fixing crops like peas and beans, which can lead to better, more productive soil.
• Support organisations that are helping farmers transition to eco-friendly systems that don't rely on synthetic fertilisers. For example, the Soil Association is working with farmers and policymakers to reduce dependence on harmful synthetic fertilisers.
• Advocate for government policies that incentivise farmers to move to eco-friendly systems.
• If you are a farmer, consider transitioning to organic farming methods. Organic farms don't use synthetic fertilisers and instead rely on manure, nitrogen-fixing legumes, and compost for nitrogen.
• If you are a farmer, consider adopting precision farming equipment that helps apply just the right amount of fertiliser to crops.

Cut back on meat, dairy and eggs

Cut back on meat, dairy, and eggs

The livestock sector accounts for about a third of all humanity's nitrogen emissions. Nitrogen emissions from livestock farming amount to about 65 teragrams (Tg) of nitrogen a year. This means that meat and dairy production alone breaches the safe global level for nitrogen emissions, or the "planetary boundary" for nitrogen emissions, which is between 62 to 82 Tg a year.

• Rich countries in Europe and North America, as well as middle-income ones including Brazil, are among those that should consume less, according to Aimable Uwizeye at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
• The overwhelming bulk of the emissions, 68%, comes from crops grown to feed animals, followed by nitrogen released by the build-up and management of manure.
• Asia stands out as a hotspot for nitrogen emissions from livestock, at two-thirds of the global total. This is largely due to China, where there is a growing consumer appetite for meat and dairy produce.
• The study identified global and regional hotspots where emissions are most concentrated, and found them to be mostly based in Asia and North America.
• The researchers found that increasing demand for animal-based food has led to a steady increase in exports around the world. For example, over the past three decades, the United States has been exporting cow meat at an increasing volume of 7% per year.
• The study recommended that farmers be encouraged to transport and recycle manure, though this may be too expensive in practice.
• The researchers also suggested designing agricultural systems to be less concentrated, with fewer animals packed together. Since this concentration is a result of the increasing demand, it’s difficult to see how this could happen without a rise in prices.
• The study recognized that these measures may not be enough. It goes as far as to say that, in some parts of the world, a reduction in consumption of animal-based food is probably necessary.

• When too much nitrogen enters the environment, it can pollute streams and rivers as well as the air.
• Nitrogen in the water causes algae to grow faster than normal, which reduces the amount of oxygen available to fishes and other wildlife.
• Even low levels of nitrogen in our drinking water can cause health problems.
• Nitrogen emissions such as ammonia and nitrogen oxide impact the environment in a number of negative ways. These include damage to forests and buildings, as well as respiratory and other health problems in humans.
• Nitrogen is a key contributor to climate change. When nitrogen in its active form, such as in fertilizer, is exposed to soil, microbial reactions take place that release nitrous oxide. This gas is 300 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. It also remains active in the atmosphere for more than 100 years.
• Algal blooms in lakes and waterways, often caused by fertilizer run-off, also emit greenhouse gases.
• Ammonia emissions, as well as contributing to climate change, are an important driver for fine particulate matter pollution, reducing air quality and increasing adverse effects on human health.

Dispose of animal waste properly

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, and while it is essential for human life, too much of it can be harmful. Nitrogen pollution is one of the most pressing pollution issues facing humanity, threatening our environment, health, climate, and ecosystems.

One of the main contributors to nitrogen pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases nitrogen oxide and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Another significant source is livestock waste, which contributes about one-third of current human-induced nitrogen emissions.

Animal waste is a significant source of nitrogen pollution, and it is important to dispose of it properly to reduce its impact on the environment. Here are some ways to do this:

• Bagging and throwing it in the trash: This is the most common and socially acceptable method of disposing of pet waste. However, it is important to use biodegradable or compostable bags to reduce plastic waste. Double bagging the waste and tying knots at the top of the bags can help ensure that it is properly sealed and does not leak.
• Flushing it down the toilet: The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that flushing dog waste is the most environmentally friendly way of disposing of it. However, it is important to check with your local water and sewage treatment center to ensure that they can handle the pathogens in pet waste. This method is not recommended for people with septic systems, as the hair and ash in pet waste can overwhelm them.
• Composting or burying it: Composting dog waste requires a separate system from your normal compost bin, as it must reach a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately five days to safely sterilize the manure. Burying pet waste requires regularly digging holes that are at least six inches deep. It is important to keep composted or buried waste away from edible gardens and to ensure your pet is healthy before disposing of their waste in this way, as any illnesses can be transmitted through their stool.

It is also important to note that different regions may have different guidelines for disposing of pet waste, so be sure to check with your local waste management program to see what they recommend.

Avoid unnecessary food waste

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in making croplands fertile and forming the proteins in our bodies. However, excess nitrogen in the environment, often from synthetic fertilizers, wastewater discharge, or fossil fuel combustion, contributes to air pollution and climate change.

To prevent nitrogen pollution in the air, individuals can take several actions, one of which is to avoid unnecessary food waste. Here are some detailed and instructive tips to help you and your community avoid unnecessary food waste:

Planning and Shopping:

• Make a shopping list based on a meal plan for the week. Consider the number of meals you will eat at home, including leftovers, and buy only what you need for those meals.
• Understand the difference between "use-by" and "best-before" dates to reduce unnecessary waste due to confusion over labels.
• Buy imperfect or "ugly" produce. Oddly-shaped or bruised fruits and vegetables are often thrown away but are just as nutritious and safe to eat.
• Store food properly. Most vegetables should be kept in the high humidity drawer of the fridge, while most fruits and some vegetables that tend to rot (like mushrooms and peppers) should be in the low humidity drawer. Potatoes, onions, garlic, and other produce that does not need refrigeration should be kept in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place.

Cooking and Preparation:

• Repurpose leftovers and ingredients past their prime in new dishes like soups, casseroles, stir-fries, or smoothies.
• Use edible parts of food you would normally discard, like stale bread for French toast or croutons, or beet greens as a side dish.
• Cook and serve appropriate portions to reduce the amount of leftovers.
• Freeze, pickle, dehydrate, can, or make jams/jellies from surplus fruits and vegetables, especially seasonal produce.

Community Actions:

• Advocate for the reduction of food waste in your community and support local initiatives to prevent food waste.
• Donate untouched, safe, and nutritious food to food banks to help those in need and reduce waste.
• Compost food scraps instead of throwing them away to give back nutrients to the soil and lower your carbon footprint.
• Support local farmers and small businesses by buying local produce. This also helps fight pollution by reducing the distances trucks and vehicles need to travel for delivery.

By following these tips and making small changes in your daily habits, you can significantly reduce food waste, lower your environmental impact, and contribute to the prevention of nitrogen pollution in the air.

Improve soil management practices

Improving soil management practices is key to reducing nitrogen pollution. Here are some ways to do so:

• Adopting Nutrient Management Techniques: Farmers can improve practices by applying the right amount of nutrients (fertilizer and manure) at the right time of year, with the right method and with the right placement.
• Using Conservation Drainage Practices: Strategies are needed to reduce nutrient loss while maintaining adequate drainage for crop production. Conservation drainage includes modifying drainage system design and operation, using woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and modifying the drainage ditch system.
• Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover: Farmers can plant cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on fields when the soil is most susceptible to erosion and nutrient loss.
• Planting Field Buffers: Planting trees, shrubs and grasses along field edges, especially those bordering water bodies, can help prevent nutrient loss by absorbing or filtering out nutrients before they reach a water body.
• Implementing Conservation Tillage: Reducing how often and how intensely fields are tilled can improve soil health, and reduce erosion, runoff and soil compaction, thereby lowering the chance of nutrients reaching waterways.

Frequently asked questions