The Consumption Of CO2 And The Mid-West's Amazon Of Corn

Crops in the Midwest take in and give off so much carbon that the impact can be seen across the northern hemisphere. (Courtesy USDA NRCS South Dakota)

Farming Feeds The Carbon Cycle

Scientists have long know that there are ebbs and flows in the exchange of CO2 between plants and the air.

In the summer, there’s a net uptake of carbon dioxide; in the winter stalks and roots break down and send CO2 in the air.

Recently, scientists have found that farming accounts for a 25 percent increase in carbon activity, much of it from the the United State’s biggest crop – corn.

But as, Harvest Public Media reporter Grant Gerlock explains, the jump in carbon activity doesn’t necessarily mean that farming is accelerating climate change.

• Click here to read Gerlock’s full report.

Reporter

• Grant Gerlock, reporter for Harvest Public Media, a member of the Here & NowContributors Network.