Scientists at climate talks: ‘The nitrogen cycle is changing faster than that of any other element’

ScienceDaily (Dec. 8, 2009) — An international group of scientists say there is an immediate need for a global assessment of the nitrogen cycle and its impact on climate. On a planetary scale, human activities, especially fertiliser application, have more than doubled the amount of reactive nitrogen in circulation on land. This massive alteration of the nitrogen cycle affects climate, food security, energy security, human health and ecosystem health. The long-term consequences of these changes are yet to be fully realised, but the human impact on the nitrogen cycle has so far been largely missed in international environmental assessments. … Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Senior Advisor on Environmental Law and Conventions at UNEP who will give the opening address at the side event said, “The nitrogen cycle is changing faster than that of any other element. In addition, the effects of reactive nitrogen are not limited to a single medium. A single molecule of reactive nitrogen may transition through many forms — ammonia, nitrogen oxide, nitric acid, nitrate and organic nitrogen — and may successively lead to a number of environmental, health and social impacts, including contributing to higher levels of ozone in the lower atmosphere. …”

Scientists at climate talks say major changes to the nitrogen cycle cannot be ignored