Nitrous oxide emissions accelerate as agriculture drives climate threat
By 
Anthony King2025-11-10T12:14:00
With N2O emissions up 40% in four decades, scientists are searching for answers. Anthony King looks at potential solutions to keep fertiliser nitrogen in the soil
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is emerging as a major climate and environmental threat, with emissions accelerating faster than expected due to agricultural fertiliser use. A potent greenhouse gas and the leading destroyer of stratospheric ozone, N2O lingers in the atmosphere for over a century and is 273 times more warming than CO₂. Scientists are exploring microbial, chemical, and farming interventions to curb emissions, but balancing food production and environmental protection remains a complex challenge. This article investigates the science behind N2O, the risks it poses, and the strategies that could help mitigate its impact.