energy
NURTURING NATURE
ENERGY
The efficient use of renewable resources should be targeted since the use of non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuel, is not sustainable in the long term. Greenhouse gases and polluting gaseous emissions must be minimised.
Good Practice
Efficiency and the Use of Renewable Resources
Use firewood as a fuel for drying to reduce nonrenewable fossil fuel consumption. All fuelwood must be derived from sustainable sources.
Boiler and factory efficiency should be optimised. Invest in more efficient boilers if necessary.
Biofuels derived from waste (e.g. bio-briquettes and sugarcane bagasse) should be considered to supplement fuelwood use.
Smaller farms should seek to develop co-operative fuelwood growing schemes given their own landholding constraints.
Where sustainable fuelwood sources are limited, alternatives should be investigated to avoid extraction from native forest reserves.
Use of fossil fuel for power generation, vehicles, irrigation engines and factory start-up should be minimised.
Where practical, develop hydroelectricity or wind-power schemes to support power needs.
Monitor fuel inputs and meter all power outlets to minimise misuse or wastage of power.
Tea bush prunings should be left as a mulch in the field and never used for fuel.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Minimise fossil fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions.
Nitrous oxide is produced from anaerobic soils, especially after adding N fertilisers. Applications of nitrogen (N) should be reviewed carefully for areas with high water tables.
Polluting Gaseous Emissions
Install scrubbers in factory chimneys.
If it is not economically sustainable to eliminate urea, find ways to reduce volatile loss, such as neem coated urea, pellets and timing of application.
Avoid use of fertilisers which can easily volatilise, such as urea. Urea volatilises into ammonia which is oxidised in the atmosphere to nitric acid, a component of acid rain.
Potential Areas For Improvement
Utilise human waste to generate biogas as a source of fuel.
Potential Areas For Improvement
Utilise human waste to generate biogas as a source of fuel.
undefined