Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to the climate crisis, and their use in pesticides is a growing concern. Pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture, and their production, transportation, and application are strongly linked to fossil fuels. With the increasing demand for food and the need for more pest prevention measures, the use of pesticides in industrialized agriculture has become predominant, enhancing the ability of workers to cultivate large areas. However, this has raised concerns about human and environmental health, the disturbance of natural biological cycles, and the energy aspect of fossil fuel use in pesticide manufacture. While recent technology has made pesticides more energy-efficient, the hidden dimension of their fossil fuel origins and their contribution to hazardous emissions cannot be overlooked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of synthetic chemicals that are derived from fossil fuels | 99% |
| Energy used to produce glyphosate in 2014 | Energy needed to fuel 6.25 million cars for a year |
| Greenhouse gas emissions from glyphosate production per kg of product | 31.29 kg of CO2e |
| Range of greenhouse gas emissions from herbicide production per kg of product | 18.22 to 26.63 kg of CO2e |
| Range of greenhouse gas emissions from insecticide production per kg of product | 14.79 to 18.91 kg of CO2e |
| Range of greenhouse gas emissions from fungicide production per kg of product | 11.94 to 29.19 kg of CO2e |
| Approximate amount of pesticides used annually in the US | 1.25 billion pounds |
| Percentage of total energy invested in the production of many field crops accounted for by pesticides | Less than 15% |
| Amount of inert ingredients in glyphosate products | 50-75% |
| Amount of sulfur in mined sulfur that becomes sulfuric acid for agrochemicals | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuels are used in the production, transportation, and application of pesticides
- Fossil fuel corporations like Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil play a major role in developing pesticide ingredients
- Fossil fuel usage in pesticides contributes to biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and plastic pollution
- Pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture, but represent less than 15% of the total energy invested in many field crops
- Fossil fuel companies are partnering with fertilizer companies to produce fossil gas-based blue ammonia, which can be used as combustible fuel
Fossil fuels are used in the production, transportation, and application of pesticides
Fossil fuels are integral to the production, transportation, and application of pesticides. Firstly, in terms of production, pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture. For instance, the energy used to produce the amount of glyphosate used globally in 2014 was equivalent to the energy required to fuel around 6.25 million cars for a year. The manufacture of glyphosate, the world's most popular herbicide, produces 31.29 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kilogram of product. Other pesticides produce even greater amounts of CO2e per kilogram.
Furthermore, fossil fuels are used in the transportation and application of pesticides. For example, a tractor or truck with a tank sprayer may require up to 0.5 gallons of fuel per acre, and this figure increases for certain specialized equipment, such as orchard sprayers. Aerial spraying may also consume more energy than land applications for smaller or oddly shaped fields where turning is frequent.
In addition, 99% of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, are derived from fossil fuels. Petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels can be used to create numerous chemicals, fertilizers, and fibres, including pesticides. The use of pesticides in industrialized agriculture is now predominant, and human and environmental health concerns have emerged, including the link between fossil fuel consumption and pesticides.
The close ties between agrochemicals and fossil fuels render industrial food production vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas markets. Moreover, fossil fuel companies are increasingly investing in petrochemicals, including pesticides, to maintain profits as the world transitions away from fossil fuels for energy.
Finally, the use of pesticides and fertilizers has been linked to an increase in sulfur emissions, which contribute to environmental degradation and human and animal health issues.
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Fossil fuel corporations like Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil play a major role in developing pesticide ingredients
Fossil fuel corporations, including Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil, play a significant role in the development and advertising of pesticide ingredients. Since World War II, pesticides have primarily been synthesized from petroleum or petroleum by-products, with 99% of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, derived from fossil fuels. These companies profit from the use of pesticides, which contributes to their substantial greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, the manufacture of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, results in 31.29 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kilogram of product.
Chevron, for example, has advertised its pesticide products to farmers for decades, as seen in the 1972 publication "No Till Farmer." Paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson's Disease, is one of their products. Additionally, Chevron has expressed intentions to continue developing new fossil fuel reserves and be among the most efficient producers. ExxonMobil, another major player, has also recognized the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, albeit indirectly and weakly. They have emphasized the Paris Agreement's focus on society's energy demand rather than supply.
Shell, another fossil fuel major, has been linked to the development of pesticide ingredients. While they have acknowledged the anthropogenic causes of climate change, their focus on transitioning to clean energy has been inconsistent. They have invested in hydrogen and explored the potential of natural gas as a cleaner fuel. However, their strategic efforts have been criticized for potentially delaying the energy transition and obstructing climate action.
The involvement of these fossil fuel corporations in the pesticide industry highlights their impact on agriculture and the environment. Pesticides contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution. The energy-intensive nature of pesticide production and the use of fossil fuels in their manufacture contribute to the overall environmental footprint of the agricultural industry.
To address these concerns, there is a growing emphasis on reducing dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, or geothermal power. By investing in renewable energy sources, we can mitigate climate change, improve environmental well-being, and enhance human health. Additionally, adopting integrated pest management (IPM) concepts and selecting environmentally benign, low-energy chemicals for pest control can help reduce the energy footprint of crop production.
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Fossil fuel usage in pesticides contributes to biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and plastic pollution
Fossil fuels are a key ingredient in the production of pesticides, and their use in this context has far-reaching environmental and health consequences. The manufacture, transportation, and application of pesticides are all strongly linked to fossil fuels, and the energy used in their production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
The energy-intensive nature of pesticide production has a significant environmental impact. For example, the energy used to produce the amount of glyphosate, the world's most popular herbicide, used globally in 2014 was equal to the energy needed to fuel about 6.25 million cars for a single year. Additionally, the production of glyphosate results in 31.29 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kilogram of product. Other pesticides produce even greater amounts of CO2e per kilogram, with some creating over 40 kilograms of CO2e. These emissions contribute to the climate crisis and have a detrimental effect on biodiversity.
The use of pesticides in agriculture has become the predominant force in industrialized farming, enhancing the ability of a few workers to cultivate large areas. However, this has come at the cost of human and environmental health, with pesticides contributing to toxic chemical and plastic pollution. Pesticides often contain microplastics, which are derived from fossil fuels. These microplastics are classified as inert ingredients, and their presence in pesticides can lead to plastic pollution.
Furthermore, the close ties between agrochemicals and fossil fuels have made industrial food production vulnerable to the volatility of oil and gas markets. The fossil fuel industry has been seeking to maintain profits by investing in petrochemicals, including plastics and pesticides, as the world moves away from oil and gas as primary energy sources. This has resulted in a destructive food production model that contributes to biodiversity loss and toxic pollution.
To address these issues, it is essential to reduce dependence on fossil fuel usage and transition to alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermic power. By investing in renewable energy sources, we can mitigate biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and plastic pollution caused by fossil fuel-derived pesticides. Additionally, adopting integrated pest management (IPM) concepts and choosing concentrated low-energy, environmentally benign chemicals for pest control can help reduce the total amount of energy invested in crop production.
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Pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture, but represent less than 15% of the total energy invested in many field crops
Pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture. The energy used to produce the amount of glyphosate used globally in 2014, for example, was equal to the energy needed to fuel about 6.25 million cars for a year. Herbicide production creates 18.22 to 26.63 kg of CO2e per kg, insecticide production creates 14.79 to 18.91 kg of CO2e per kg, and fungicide production creates 11.94 to 29.19 kg of CO2e per kg.
However, pesticides represent less than 15% of the total energy invested in many field crops. This is because the manufacture of pesticides is only one aspect of the energy used in the production of field crops. Other aspects include transportation, application, and post-application effects. The energy expended in these processes is often much higher than the energy required to manufacture the pesticide itself. For example, aerial spraying may consume more energy than land applications, and some specialized equipment, such as orchard sprayers, can consume significantly more fuel.
In addition, the use of pesticides is only one component of pest control. Other factors include the choice of control methods and the evaluation of methods to reduce total energy use. By selecting the most effective control methods and implementing energy-saving practices, significant reductions in per-unit energy use of crop production can be achieved.
Furthermore, the development of new technologies and alternative energy sources can help reduce the energy intensity of pesticide manufacture and use. For instance, newer low-volume application technology can reduce energy use by lowering transport weight and travel to and from refill sites. Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermic power can also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the current climate crisis.
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Fossil fuel companies are partnering with fertilizer companies to produce fossil gas-based blue ammonia, which can be used as combustible fuel
Fossil fuels are the main driver of the climate emergency and intersecting crises. Fossil fuel companies are partnering with fertilizer companies to produce fossil gas-based blue ammonia, which can be used as combustible fuel. This is an attempt to continue the fossil economy at the expense of the global climate, the environment, and people's health.
Blue ammonia is being positioned as a "clean" alternative, with both industries securing massive government subsidies for infrastructure investments in the name of climate mitigation. However, the production of ammonia is emissions-intensive and relies heavily on fossil fuels. About 70% of ammonia is used for fertilizers, with the remainder used for industrial applications such as plastics, explosives, and synthetic fibres.
The ammonia production process has been labelled the "low-hanging fruit for carbon capture and storage (CCS)" by the industry. They claim that the highly concentrated CO2 stream produced can be captured and stored, resulting in "blue" ammonia. This blue ammonia is then marketed as a clean and decarbonized product, despite being derived from fossil fuels.
The production of blue ammonia may offer a quicker and cheaper route to a hydrogen economy. The large oil and gas industry in North America, for example, keeps the cost of producing conventional ammonia low and creates opportunities to use carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) or to store the greenhouse gas permanently underground. This could be a significant transition or long-term energy mix.
To produce blue ammonia, fossil fuel and fertilizer companies are partnering on projects that use natural gas to create hydrogen, which is then used to make ammonia. This process, known as steam reforming, currently accounts for just over 70% of ammonia production. The remaining production is primarily through coal gasification, with oil and electricity playing minor roles.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are used in the production of pesticides, and 99% of all synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, are derived from fossil fuels. The energy used to produce glyphosate, the world's most popular herbicide, is equal to the energy needed to fuel about 6.25 million cars for a single year.
Fossil fuels are used in the manufacture of pesticides, as well as in their transportation and application. The use of fossil fuels in these processes contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of fossil fuels in pesticides contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss. Pesticides and fertilizers are also linked to toxic pollution and the violation of human rights. Additionally, the use of sulfur-based pesticides and fertilizers has been associated with an increase in sulfur concentration in croplands, leading to environmental degradation and health problems for humans and animals.
