Online greenhouse gas calculator used in Australia

Source: CCTV.com | 04-29-2007 10:02

Australian cotton farmers are using the Internet to become more environmentally friendly. Through their computers, they've unearthed an unexpected carbon dioxide culprit.

Queensland's Institute of Technology has developed an online greenhouse gas calculator. It helps people find out about and learn how to reduce GHG emissions.

Cotton grower Hamish Miller assumed diesel would be the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions on his farm.

He then tried the calculator, entering his fuel and fertilizer consumption for the year into the device as well as his crop acreage.

Miller said, "You're on farm energy use which is diesel, it's broken down into diesel, petrol and gas. And then we have our soils broken down into dry land hectares and also the irrigated hectares."

Miller was surprised to learn half of his emissions were from fertilizers.

The findings prompted some farmers to modify their practices.

Miller says as plants generally only use about half of the fertilizer applied, he hopes the calculators will encourage other cotton farmers to use less.

Experts say sustainable agriculture is a win-win situation for farmers.

Peter Grace, Queensland instituete of technology, said, "Really the calculator itself just shows that the farmers are in a win-win situation. If they farm sustainably, which is also profitably, they will reduce green house gas emissions."

There's now world wide interest in what Australian cotton growers are doing to help fight global warming.

As for the growers, they are now hoping other farmers will begin using the calculator.

Editor:Du Xiaodan