A technology-forcing approach to reduce nitrogen pollution (original) (raw)

References

  1. Steffen, W. et al. Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet. Science 347, 1259855 (2015).
    Article Google Scholar
  2. Zhang, X. et al. Managing nitrogen for sustainable development. Nature 528, 51–59 (2015).
    CAS Google Scholar
  3. Galloway, J. N. et al. The nitrogen cascade. Bioscience 53, 341–356 (2003).
    Article Google Scholar
  4. Connor, D. J., Loomis, R. S. & Cassman, K. G. Crop Ecology: Productivity and Management in Agricultural Systems. 2nd edn 562 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011).
  5. The Future of Food and Agriculture: Trends and Challenges (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2017).
  6. Lassaletta, L., Billen, G., Grizzetti, B., Anglade, J. & Garnier, J. 50 year trends in nitrogen use efficiency of world cropping systems: the relationship between yield and nitrogen input to cropland. Environ. Res. Lett. 9, 105011 (2014).
    Article Google Scholar
  7. Robertson, G. P. & Vitousek, P. M. Nitrogen in agriculture: Balancing the cost of an essential resource. Ann. Rev. Environ. Res. 34, 97–125 (2009).
    Article Google Scholar
  8. Kanter, D. R., Zhang, X. & Mauzerall, D. L. Reducing nitrogen pollution while decreasing farmers’ costs and increasing fertilizer industry profits. J. Environ. Qual. 44, 325–335 (2015).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  9. NRCS Conservation Programs — Conservation Stewardship Program (Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2017); www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/NRCS_RCA/reports/fb08_cp_cstp.html
  10. NRCS Conservation Programs — Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2017); www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/NRCS_RCA/reports/fb08_cp_eqip.html
  11. Effects of Conservation Practices on Nitrogen Loss from Farm Fields (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2017).
  12. Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2013 (Environmental Protection Agency, 2015).
  13. National Emissions Inventory Data (Environmental Protection Agency, 2014).
  14. Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force: 2015 Report to Congress (Environmental Protection Agency, 2015).
  15. Cassman, K. G., Dobermann, A. R. & Walters, D. T. Agroecosystems, nitrogen-use efficiency, and nitrogen management. Ambio 31, 132–140 (2002).
    Article Google Scholar
  16. Cassman, K. G., Dobermann, A., Walters, D. T. & Yang, H. Meeting cereal demand while protecting natural resources and improving environmental quality. Ann. Rev. Environ. Res. 28, 315–358 (2003).
    Article Google Scholar
  17. Dobermann, A. & Cassman, K. G. Cereal area and nitrogen use efficiency are drivers of future nitrogen fertilizer consumption. Sci. China 48, 745–758 (2005).
    CAS Google Scholar
  18. Halich, G. Custom Machinery Rates Applicable to Kentucky (University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, 2018).
  19. Krutilla, K. & Krause, R. Transaction costs and environmental policy: an assessment framework and literature review. Int. Rev. Environ. Res. Econ. 4, 261–354 (2011).
    Article Google Scholar
  20. Burtraw, D. & Szambelan, S. J. US Emissions Trading Markets for SO 2 and NO x (Resources for the Future, 2009).
  21. Falkner, R. Business Power and Conflict in International Environmental Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008).
  22. Oye, K. A. & Maxwell, J. H. Self-interest and environmental management. J. Theoretical Pol. 6, 593–624 (1994).
    Article Google Scholar
  23. Jaffe, A. B., Newell, R. G. & Stavins, R. N. in Handbook of Environmental Economics (eds K.-G. Maler & J. Vincent) 461–513 (Elsevier Science, 2003).
  24. Akiyama, H., Yan, X. Y. & Yagi, K. Evaluation of effectiveness of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers as mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils: meta-analysis. Global Change Biol. 16, 1837–1846 (2010).
    Article Google Scholar
  25. Sanz-Cobena, A., Misselbrook, T., Camp, V. & Vallejo, A. Effect of water addition and the urease inhibitor NBPT on the abatement of ammonia emission from surface applied urea. Atmos. Environ. 45, 1517–1524 (2011).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  26. Abalos, D., Jeffery, S., Sanz-Cobena, A., Guardia, G. & Vallejo, A. Meta-analysis of the effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 189, 136–144 (2014).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  27. Li, T. et al. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers are not a panacea for resolving the nitrogen problem. Global Change Biol. 24, 511–521 (2018).
    Article Google Scholar
  28. Omonode, R. A., Halvorson, A. D., Gagnon, B. & Vyn, T. J. Achieving lower nitrogen balance and higher nitrogen recovery efficiency reduces nitrous oxide emissions in North America’s maize cropping systems. Front. Plant Sci. 8, 1080 (2017).
    Article Google Scholar
  29. Quemada, M., Baranski, M., Nobel-de Lange, M. N. J., Vallejo, A. & Cooper, J. M. Meta-analysis of strategies to control nitrate leaching in irrigated agricultural systems and their effects on crop yield. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 174, 1–10 (2013).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  30. Qiao, C. L. et al. How inhibiting nitrification affects nitrogen cycle and reduces environmental impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen input. Global Change Biol. 21, 1249–1257 (2015).
    Article Google Scholar
  31. Hatfield, J. L. & Venterea, R. T. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers: a multi-site comparison of the effects on nitrous oxide emissions and agronomic performance. Agron. J. 106, 679–680 (2014).
    Article Google Scholar
  32. Eagle, A. J., Olander, L. P., Locklier, K. L., Heffernan, J. B. & Bernhardt, E. S. Fertilizer management and environmental factors drive N2O and NO3 losses in corn: a meta-analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 81, 1191–1202 (2017).
    Article Google Scholar
  33. Abalos, D., Jeffery, S., Drury, C. F. & Wagner-Riddle, C. Improving fertilizer management in the US and Canada for N2O mitigation: understanding potential positive and negative side-effects on corn yields. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 221, 214–221 (2016).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  34. Feng, J. F. et al. Integrated assessment of the impact of enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer on N2O emission and crop yield. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 231, 218–228 (2016).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  35. Linquist, B. A., Liu, L. J., van Kessel, C. & van Groenigen, K. J. Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers for rice systems: Meta-analysis of yield and nitrogen uptake. Field Crop Res. 154, 246–254 (2013).
    Article Google Scholar
  36. Cultivating Excellence: Fact Book 2015–2016 (Agrium, 2016).
  37. Yasuhara, K. et al. Lack of carcinogenicity of cyanoguanidine in F344 rats. Food Chem. Toxicol. 35, 475–480 (1997).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  38. Trenkel, M. E. Slow- and Controlled-Release and Stabilized Fertilizers: An Option for Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency in Agriculture (International Fertilizer Industry Association, 2010).
  39. McCullough, E. B. & Matson, P. A. Evolution of the knowledge system for agricultural development in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 113, 4609–4614 (2016).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  40. Stuart, D., Schewe, R. L. & McDermott, M. Reducing nitrogen fertilizer application as a climate change mitigation strategy: Understanding farmer decision-making and potential barriers to change in the US. Land Use Pol. 36, 210–218 (2014).
    Article Google Scholar
  41. Venterea, R. T. et al. Challenges and opportunities for mitigating nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized cropping systems. Front Ecol. Environ. 10, 562–570 (2012).
    Article Google Scholar
  42. Griffis, T. J. et al. Nitrous oxide emissions are enhanced in a warmer and wetter world. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 114, 12081–12085 (2017).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  43. Fuglie, K. O. et al. Research Investments and Market Structure in the Food Processing, Agricultural Input, and Biofuel Industries Worldwide (United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Report, 2011).
  44. Bindraban, P. S., Dimkpa, C., Nagarajan, L., Roy, A. & Rabbinge, R. Revisiting fertilisers and fertilisation strategies for improved nutrient uptake by plants. Biol. Fert. Soils 51, 897–911 (2015).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  45. Landels, S. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers: World market update in Third Int. Conf. Slow Controlled Release Stabiliz. Fertilizers (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2013).
  46. Fact Book 2018 (Nutrien, 2018).
  47. Mineral Commodity Summaries: Nitrogen (Fixed) — Ammonia (US Geological Survey, 2018).
  48. Blaylock, A. Enhancing productivity and farmer profitability in broad-acre crops with controlled-release fertilizers in Third Int. Conf. Slow Controlled Release Stabiliz. Fertilizers (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2013).
  49. Hall, L. The evolution of CAFE standards: fuel economy regulation enters its second act. Transport. Law J. 39, 1–29 (2011).
    Google Scholar
  50. Joint Technical Support Document: Rulemaking to Establish Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (US Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010).
  51. Freeman, J. The Obama Administration’s National Auto Policy: Lessons from the “Car Deal”. Harv. Environ. Law Rev. 35, 343 (2011).
    Google Scholar
  52. McConnell, V. The New CAFE Standards: Are They Enough on Their Own? (Resources for the Future, 2013).
  53. Testing at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017); www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/testing-national-vehicle-and-fuel-emissions-laboratory
  54. Shepardson, D. US regulators urged to scale back fuel efficiency fines. Reuters (3 August 2016).
  55. Summary of CAFE Fines Collected (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2014).
  56. Crandall, R. W., Gruenspeth, H. W., Keeler, T. E. & Lave, L. B. Regulating the Automobile (The Brookings Institution, 1986).
  57. Greene, D. L. Why CAFE worked. Energy Pol. 26, 595–613 (1998).
    Article Google Scholar
  58. Anderson, S. T., Parry, I. W. H., Sallee, J. M. & Fischer, C. Automobile fuel economy standards: impacts, efficiency, and alternatives. Rev. Environ. Econ. Pol. 5, 89–108 (2011).
    Article Google Scholar
  59. Goettler, R. L. & Gordon, B. R. Does AMD spur Intel to innovate more? J. Polit. Econ. 119, 1141–1200 (2011).
    Article Google Scholar
  60. Bento, A. M., Roth, K. D. & Wang, Y. The impact of cafe standards on innovation in the US automobile industry. 2015 Agr. Appl. Econ. Assoc. Western Agr. Econ. Assoc. Ann. Meeting 206195 (2015).
  61. Allcott, H. Consumers’ perceptions and misperceptions of energy costs. Am. Econ. Rev. 101, 98–104 (2011).
    Article Google Scholar
  62. Zhang, X., Mauzerall, D. L., Davidson, E. A., Kanter, D. R. & Cai, R. H. The economic and environmental consequences of implementing nitrogen-efficient technologies and management practices in agriculture. J. Environ. Qual. 44, 312–324 (2015).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  63. Mueller, N. D. et al. Closing yield gaps through nutrient and water management. Nature 490, 254–257 (2012).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  64. Osmond, D. L., Hoag, D. L. K., Luloff, A. E., Meals, D. W. & Neas, K. Farmer’s use of nutrient management: lessons from watershed case studies. J. Environ. Qual. 44, 382–390 (2015).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  65. Rhodes, C. Democratic business ethics: Volkswagen’s emissions scandal and the disruption of corporate sovereignty. Organ. Stud. 37, 1501–1518 (2016).
    Article Google Scholar
  66. Bento, A., Roth, K. & Zuo. Y. Vehicle lifetime and scrappage behavior: trends in the US used car market. Energy J. 0, ej39-1-bento (2016).
  67. Renewable Fuel Standard: Potential Economic and Environmental Effects of US Biofuel Policy (National Research Council, 2011).
  68. Matsushita, M., Schoenbaum, T. J., Mavriodis, P. C. & Hahn, M. The World Trade Organization: Law, Practice and Policy (Oxford Univ. Press, 2015).
  69. Zhong, R. This is why India has to shrink the subsidy raj. The Wall Street Journal (7 July 2014).
  70. Birner, R., Gupta, S. & Sharma, N. The Political Economy of Agricultural Policy Reform in India: Fertilizers and Electricity for Irrigation (International Food Policy Research Institute, 2011).
  71. Ribaudo, M. et al. Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems: Implications for Conservation Policy (United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, 2011).
  72. Williamson, J. M. The role of information and prices in the nitrogen fertilizer management decision: new evidence from the agricultural resource management survey. J. Agr. Res. Econ. 36, 552–572 (2010).
    Google Scholar
  73. Model Simulation of Soil Loss, Nutrient Loss, and Change in Soil Organic Carbon Associated with Crop Production (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006).
  74. Eggleston, S., Buendia, L., Miwa, K., Ngara, T. & Tanabe, K. IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2006).
  75. Ogle, S. M. et al. in Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory (ed. United States Department of Agriculture) (Office of the Chief Economist, Climate Change Program Office, United States Department of Agriculture, 2014).
  76. Kanter, D. R., Wentz, J. A., Galloway, J. N., Moomaw, W. R. & Winiwarter, W. Managing a forgotten greenhouse gas under existing US law: An interdisciplinary analysis. Environ. Sci. Pol. 67, 44–51 (2017).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references