Scientists: “climate conference needs to address role of nitrogen in climate change”

A group of international scientists claim that the nitrogen cycle needs to be a serious consideration for governments at the climate conference in Copenhagen. Dr Cheryl Palm, the chair of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI), says ‚"We believe that in tackling nitrogen new opportunities for climate abatement will be created".

Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Senior Advisor on Environmental Law and Conventions at UNEP, explains that the nitrogen cycle is changing faster than that of any other element: “A single molecule of reactive nitrogen may transition through many forms - ammonia, nitrogen oxide, nitric acid, nitrate and organic nitrogen – and may successively lead to a number of environmental, health and social impacts, including contributing to higher levels of ozone in the lower atmosphere.”

The INI believes that an understanding of the nitrogen cycle, including the costs and challenges of nitrogen management, is as important as that of the more publicised carbon cycle. As with the carbon cycle, the effects of nitrogen should be of concern to developing countries as well as developed ones; the INI hopes that an understanding of the nitrogen cycle could help to increase food security in developing countries.

For more information on the INI, contact Wendy Broadgate at wendy@IGBP.kva.se

Published: Tuesday, 7th December 2010 by Tom Freeman

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