In India, coal-fired power plants are silently undermining agriculture. A new study shows that emissions from these plants cut wheat and rice yields by over 10% annually. These grains are crucial for the nation’s food security.
The study was led by Kirat Singh, a PhD student at Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability. It examined the link between coal emissions and crop damage. It found that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from coal plants significantly harms agricultural productivity. The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
India, home to the world’s second-largest population, struggles with hunger. A quarter of the globe’s undernourished people live here. This makes the impact of coal power plant emissions even more concerning.
“We wanted to assess how coal power emissions affect agriculture,” said Singh. “Coal generation may meet rising energy demand, but it comes at a cost to food security.”
POLLUTION’S RIPPLE EFFECT: CROPS UNDER THREAT
The researchers found that coal emissions directly damage crop yields, particularly in key growing regions. Using a statistical model, they estimated the losses in rice and wheat production due to NO2 emissions from coal plants.
The study analyzed data from 144 power plants in India, tracking their emissions and wind patterns. NO2 concentrations were measured up to 100 kilometers from power stations, showing a direct link between pollution and crop damage.
The result? Eliminating coal emissions from croplands within this radius could boost India’s rice output by $420 million every year. Wheat output could also increase by $400 million annually.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: A GROWING CONCERN FOR FOOD SECURITY
This study shines a light on the overlooked costs of coal. Past research focused on the health impacts of pollution, but crop damage remained largely ignored. India’s heavy reliance on coal for over 70% of its electricity makes this study crucial.
“Improved air quality could greatly benefit agriculture,” said David Lobell, senior author of the study. “Our findings highlight the importance of reducing emissions to protect food security.”
CROP LOSSES: REGIONAL VARIATIONS AND KEY SEASONS
The researchers focused on two critical growing seasons: January-February and September-October. These periods are vital for rice and wheat production. The study showed that NO2 from coal plants harms crops across large areas.
In high-coal-production states like Chhattisgarh, emissions contribute up to 19% of regional NO2 pollution. In other states, like Uttar Pradesh, the figure is lower, at around 3-5%. The study reveals that coal plants are a significant source of pollution in these areas.
A SYSTEMS APPROACH: INTEGRATING POLICIES FOR CLEANER AIR
The study stresses the need for a broader view when addressing environmental issues. “Policies to reduce coal emissions must consider agricultural damage,” said Inês Azevedo, a co-author of the study. “Ignoring crop losses means missing a crucial part of the problem.”
India needs a balanced approach to reduce emissions without sacrificing food security. The study’s findings suggest that targeted emission cuts could yield significant agricultural and economic benefits.
ECONOMIC AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF EMISSION REDUCTIONS
Reducing emissions from coal plants could help both agriculture and human health. The value of crop losses is often lower than the mortality damage from coal pollution. Yet, the intensity of crop damage per gigawatt-hour of electricity is high. In fact, rice damage exceeded mortality damage at 58 out of 144 plants. Wheat damage surpassed mortality damage at 35 plants.
“This study shows that cutting coal emissions is one of the quickest ways to benefit agriculture,” said Lobell. “Policies targeting emission reductions would improve crop yields and human health.”
WIDESPREAD IMPACT: BENEFITS FOR FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE
The study reveals that emission reductions would lead to substantial crop gains across India. The largest losses in crop output were not always at the same power plants associated with the highest mortality. This means potential benefits from reducing emissions could be more widespread and impactful than previously thought.
The researchers argue that regulating emissions from coal-fired power plants in India must consider both human health and agricultural impacts. “Well-targeted emission cuts could deliver significant improvements in crop output,” Singh said. “Reducing coal pollution will benefit agriculture, public health, and the climate.”
As India navigates its energy and food security challenges, understanding the interplay between coal emissions and crop yields is key. Cleaner air could support a healthier, more prosperous future for the nation.
