Methane reduction efforts may increase nitrous oxide emissions

Research published in Science highlights that agricultural practices aimed at reducing methane emissions may inadvertently increase nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Techniques like intermittent flooding in rice paddies could raise nitrous oxide levels by 30-45 times compared to continuous flooding. Nitrous oxide accounts for 6% of global emissions but is 265 times more damaging than CO2 over 100 years, complicating climate change mitigation efforts.