Biotechnology can help to cool the planet

Biotechnology is now becoming one of the best assets to this ever-changing human world. Biotechnology is one of the most reliable answers to the dangerous question of climate change. Using energy efficient farming, carbon sequestration, and reducing synthetic fertilizer use. Planting genetically modified crops are better than regular crops as they have shown reduction in green house gases emitted.

This reduction isn’t a negligible reduction. In 2012, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced to the equivalent of removing 27 billion kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is equivalent to removing 11.9 million cars from the road.  Green biotechnology is in use extensively these days as they allow production of more fertile and more resistant plant and with the help of efficient farming production of biofuel from traditional crops has help to reduce the adverse effects of transport sector.  Hence, reducing the total carbon emission from atmosphere and helping planet to cool down.

Also Read: Global Warming’s Impact on Infectious Diseases

As we all know that fossil fuel which we use so extensively are also playing a huge hand in increasing air pollution and according to a report is estimated to kill millions of people each year, but thanks to the modern achievements made by biotechnology we are now shifting to “Biofuels”. Utilizing the natural breaking down abilities of microorganisms can generate biofuels from agricultural and forestry wastes. The use of Biofuels should be encouraged so that :

• The carbon emission will reduce.
• To prevent the depletion of fossil fuels.

In comparison with diesel, biodiesel provides 93% more usable energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 41%, reduces several major air pollutants, and has very little impact on human and environmental health, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticide relief.

With the rise of industrial growth the creation of new materials was needed because of the scarcity of natural resources that’s when plastic came. One of the main reasons why plastic became so famous is due to the fact that it was easy to manufacture, it was cheap, and it was easy to avail but due to the growth of plastic, plastic pollution was inevitable, and thus the world witnessed a huge rise in plastic pollution. The waste from petrochemical plastic production plants as well as the tones of non-biodegradable plastic thrown away daily is huge problem for the environment. The solution to this is “Bioplastics”.

Bioplastics are plastics made from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, starch, and recycled food waste. These bioplastics are compostable plastic which will break down in compost pile leaving no toxic residue behind.

Why bioplastic over plastic?

Plastics take approximately 20 to 500 years to decompose depending on their structure and materials. While in comparison bioplastic only take 3-6 months to decompose.

Biotechnology involves applying life sciences to traditional manufacturing and chemical synthesis. The industrial biotechnology industry plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and empowering economic development. It is the key to producing clean, renewable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels and other products, and can greatly reduce the energy consumption and GHG emissions from a wide range of industrial processes by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste and capturing and capturing and converting carbon dioxide.

It follows that “biotechnology can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation”. Yet biotechnology is hardly ever referred as a ‘clear technology’.

Author: Divyam Dave

College: Dr. B. Lal Institute of Biotechnology

Course: B.Sc Biotechnology Part-III