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Rice farming across the world could be responsible for up to twice the level of climate impact relative to what was previously estimated, according to a study conducted in India. The study, published in PNAS, found that intermittently flooded rice farms can emit 45 times more nitrous oxide as compared to the maximum from continuously flooded farms that predominantly emit methane. According to a global analysis by EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) in the US, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice farms could have the same long-term warming impact as about 600 coal plants. “The full climate impact of rice farming has been significantly underestimated because up to this point, nitrous dioxide emissions from intermittently flooded farms have not been included,” said Mr Kritee Kritee from EDF, who led the study.