2008 Environment Award Laureate
Arcadia Biosciences
| Laureate Country: United States |
| Project Country: China |
| Website: http://www.arcadiabiosciences.com |
| Video: 2008videos/Arcadia_Biosciences.mov |
Arcadia Biosciences deploys technology to engineer crops that need less fertilizer, so farmers can grow more food while creating less pollution.
Agriculture is the world's second largest industrial source of greenhouse gas emissions, in large part because of fertilizers. Nitrous oxide from fertilizers is emitted into the air as a potent greenhouse gas. Nitrogen also leaches into the water, creating aquatic "dead zones" where fish cannot survive.
Arcadia Biosciences uses a naturally present plant gene to increase the amount of nitrogen a plant's roots can absorb. As a result, farmers can reduce fertilizer use by up to two-thirds without sacrificing crop yields. Farmers save money on fertilizer, and may increase their profitability with carbon credits. Most importantly, reducing fertilizer use means fewer greenhouse gases and cleaner water.
