Stories on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.

Can fertilisers go green?

April 16, 2024 0:26:28 25.4 MB Downloads: 0

Ammonia has revolutionised the way we produce our food, helping us to grow much, much more... But it’s also helping to grow global greenhouse gas emissions too.

Synthetic fertilisers are actually responsible for around 5% of the planet-warming gases going into the air - that’s more than deforestation.

In this episode, Graihagh Jackson examines this challenge that modern agriculture poses to the climate, and finds out whether it’s possible to cut emissions from fertiliser use without cutting food production at the same time. She’ll also be joined by local reporters in Kenya to hear about innovative projects aiming to tackle this problem and turn farming green.

Do you have a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Reporters in Kenya: Michael Kaloki and James Gitaka Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Octavia Woodward Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound engineer: Tom Brignell Editors: Simon Watts and Sophie Eastaugh