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→Fertilizers
The problem with burning more natural gas for electricity means less available for fertilizer production.
The problem with burning more natural gas for electricity means less available for fertilizer production.
Most chemical fertilizers rely on natural gas as a “feedstock” or key ingredient in the production process. Through a series of reactions, hydrogen in the methane gas (CH4) is transferred to form ammonia (NH3.) Nitrogen in the ammonia is essential for [[chlorophyll]] and [[amino acid]] synthesis inside all plants. Although the atmosphere is mostly [[nitrogen]], plants cannot use free nitrogen. Nature has ways to get nitrogen into the soil as ammonia, but it’s not enough. Chemical fertilizers solve this problem, and have supported massive increases in crop yields (and thus, [[population]]) in the last century. Without chemical fertilizers, many people will starve to death.
Most chemical fertilizers rely on natural gas as a “feedstock” or key ingredient in the production process. Through a series of reactions, hydrogen in the methane gas (CH4) is transferred to form ammonia (NH3.) Nitrogen in the ammonia is essential for [[chlorophyll]] and [[amino acid]] synthesis inside all plants. Although the atmosphere is mostly [[nitrogen]], plants cannot use free nitrogen. Nature has ways to get nitrogen into the soil as ammonia, but it’s not enough. [[Anthropogenic]] fertilizers solved this problem, and have supported massive increases in crop yields (and thus, [[population]]) in the last century. Without man-made chemical fertilizers, many people will starve to death.
When renewables such as “wind” or “hydro” fail, more natural gas has to be burned for electric power. The problem with burning more natural gas for electricity is that — if it's done in an “unplanned” fashion, without raising production, finding reliable new import channels, or keeping more in storage — there is less remaining for fertilizer production.
When renewables such as “wind” or “hydro” fail, more natural gas has to be burned for electric power. The problem with burning more natural gas for electricity is that — if it's done in an “unplanned” fashion, without raising production, finding reliable new import channels, or keeping more in storage — there is less remaining for fertilizer production.