Climate Changes and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: Challenges for Agriculture

Abstract

During the last few decades, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased. Estimates are showing that the agriculture, forestry and other land use emits less than a quarter of the total anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases globally and in this way endangers resources. Observing from the point of the European Union, agriculture emits 436.7 million tons of CO2 equivalents, corresponding to 9.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, agricultural production is accompanied by the creation of residues, whose amount often exceeds the weight of the main product, which can be used as a source of renewable energy. About 25% of the harvest residues can be used for energy purposes, without compromising the population food safety, nor adversely affecting the fertility of the land. The aim of this article is to point out on the consequences of the harmful effects of modern agriculture on the environment, but also on the fact that agriculture can offer solutions to the challenges of climate change.