Our everyday lifestyle choices impact the amount of harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Not to worry! You have the power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—primarily carbon emissions—by choosing to buy food from farmers using climate-smart agricultural practices. Learn more about greenhouse gases and how climate-smart farming offers a climate solution.

What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide but also methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide—have been released from soil and water into the atmosphere by natural processes for millions of years.

We need some amount of these gases, since they trap solar radiation and make our planet habitable. But the balance of this natural cycling tipped when people began to extract and release increasing amounts of carbon for human advancement, and the problem worsened when we became dependent on fossil fuels to power our lives.

The Role of Food Production in the Greenhouse Gas Cycle

Farming is one of the contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – but it can also sequester carbon in the soil, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Purchasing food directly from farmers who utilize climate-smart practices is a simple lifestyle choice you can make to help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Two market managers organizing a farm stand of fresh produce

How Carbon Impacts Climate

When the amount of carbon in the atmosphere increases, it causes a global rise in temperature. As carbon increases, heat is trapped and the atmosphere is warmed. Reducing the amount of carbon will help reverse the effects of climate change.

Partner Profiles the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project

The Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart project is working with farmers and farmers markets in GA, AL, NC, SC and Virginia to study the impact of agricultural practices on soil health. Our project team combines perspectives from academic institutions, nonprofits, NGOs, and farmer associations to form one wholistic study of diverse vegetable farming in the Southern Piedmont.