The spatial distribution of agricultural emissions in the United States: The role of organic farming in mitigating climate change

Abstract

Agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and organic farming practices can potentially offset some of these emissions. However, previous research on the environmental impact of organic agriculture has provided mixed or contradictory results. This study aims to analyze the role that organic farming can play in mitigating agricultural emissions across the United States. Using panel U.S. state-level data, we find evidence that farming activities increase GHG emissions. However, we also find that dedicating a larger share of farmland to organic and pasture farming reduces GHG emissions. A spatial analysis of agricultural emissions that accounts for the role of organic farming provides three key insights. First, the spatial distribution of agricultural GHG emissions in the United States is uneven. Second, agriculture is a significant contributor to GDP within high-emissions states where organic agriculture represents only a small proportion of total farmland. Third, agriculture has a substantially lower contribution to GDP within low-emissions states where organic agriculture represents a large proportion of total farmland. These findings suggest that reducing GHG emissions effectively may necessitate creating and implementing policies and initiatives tailored to specific regions rather than relying on general recommendations. Thus, low-emissions states should be explored as examples of sustainable agricultural practices that could set the stage for scaling up organic farming practices across the country.