Study finds conventional rice production has 10 times more negative environmental impacts than organic

A study published recently in the Journal of Cleaner Production found that conventional rice production has significantly more negative environmental impacts than organic rice production.

The study used a life-cycle assessment to determine the environmental impact of organic rice production in China at 5, 10, and 15 years after conversion. Study researchers assessed environmental factors including the amount of non-renewable energy used, the amount of water used, amount of land needed, global warming potential, acidification potential, the potential to contribute to nutrient water pollution (responsible for the formation of dead zones), potential to release water pollution toxic to aquatic wildlife, human toxicity potential, and soil toxicity potential for humans.

The researchers found that overall, the conventional rice production system had 10 times more negative environmental impact than the organic rice systems, and that the negative environmental impact of organic rice systems decreased the longer they were in organic production. “Based on this study, organic rice systems have the potential of being recommended as sustainable agricultural practices in comparison with conventional practices,” the researchers concluded.

Source: Organic Center

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https://www.organic-center.org/environmental-benefits-of-organic-improver-over-time/