Introduction

What is the role of agrochemicals in the climate crisis? This is a loaded question because of the complexities of climate change and food security. Many negative environmental impacts are associated with agrochemical use. Yet, there are many reasons why they continue to be so widely used. Therefore, the continuous reliance on agrochemicals makes this a “wicked problem” that is difficult to define and manage (Ritter & Webber, 1973).

Role in mitigating/adapting to climate change

Currently, the agriculture industry is heavily dependent on agrochemicals to secure sufficient crop yields and ensure food security. The onset of climate change is likely to bring (or has already been bringing) about higher frequencies of extreme wet weather and drought (IPCC, 2021), which is going to have a significant impact on agriculture. Therefore, climate change is likely to cause an increase in reliance on agrochemicals to enhance the resilience of crops against extreme weather events. 

Additionally, agrochemical use could also potentially lead to indirect benefits for climate change mitigation. Ensuring and pro-longing the productivity of a piece of land (Aktar et al., 2009) reduces agricultural pressure on uncropped land. It could potentially reduce the need for deforestation because farmers do not need to clear land for agriculture. As a result, existing forests can continue to provide ecosystem services, and carbon remains locked up within the ecosystem. 

Role in exacerbating the effects of climate change

However, agrochemical use also contributes to climate change because of its carbon footprint. For many crops, the production and application of pesticides and fertilisers account for a large proportion of their carbon footprint: 18% for cotton, 93% for maize, 95% for rice, 45% for soybeans, and 73% for wheat (Figure 1) (CropLife International, 2012).

On top of that, agrochemicals are also causing detrimental effects on the sustainability of agriculture. Many agrochemicals are toxic to non-target organisms. It is especially worrying because of its effects on beneficial insects and pollinators. Pesticide use has been a major driver of the global decline of bees, which are important pollinators that play important roles in spreading pollen and fertilising crops (Main, 2020).

Conclusion:

Agrochemicals are here to stay because of their roles in ensuring global food security and local livelihoods under a changing climate. Yet, the contribution of these agrochemicals to climate change creates a positive feedback loop that makes it difficult to manage. There is an urgent need for a solution that disrupts this feedback loop and reduces the global reliance on agrochemicals.