Are There Ways To Grow Hemp That Will Help Combat Climate Change?

Ag research and Extension teams from multiple universities across the Southeast U.S. will be prioritizing hemp crops with climate-smart management with help from a five-year, $4.9 million USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant. The project led by Florida A&M University will help researchers support hemp production for conservation and carbon sequestration that can help combat climate change.

Studies show plants can contribute to carbon sequestration by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis. The larger the plant, the more carbon dioxide it takes from the atmosphere. Hemp grown for fiber grows more quickly than other crops and can reach 15 feet in height, so it can capture a lot of carbon in a short amount of time.

“A fiber hemp crop can be huge,” says Zachary Brym, University of Florida Assistant Professor and lead scientist on the hemp project. “Previous research has cited that one hectare, which is equal to about 2.5 acres, of industrial hemp can absorb up to 15 tons of carbon dioxide in a growing cycle.