Scientists warn of ‘phosphogeddon’ as critical fertiliser shortages loom12 Mar 2023 21:47
Article taken from the today's Guardian newspaper:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/scientists-warn-of-phosphogeddon-as-critical-fertiliser-shortages-loom/ar-AA18vZc1?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=e165521fca9f476aad394b20cdf17f43&ei=11
"Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by the German scientist Hennig Brandt, who isolated it from urine, and it has since been shown to be essential to life. Bones and teeth are largely made of the mineral calcium phosphate – a compound derived from it – while the element also provides DNA with its sugar phosphate backbone.
“To put it simply, there is no life on Earth without phosphorus,” exlpained Prof Penny Johnes of Bristol University.
The element’s global importance lies in its use to help crop growth. About 50m tonnes of phosphate fertiliser are sold around the world every year, and these supplies play a crucial role in feeding the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants.
However, significant deposits of phosphorus are found in only a few countries: Morocco and western Sahara have the largest amount, China the second biggest deposit and Algeria the third. In contrast, reserves in the US are down to 1% of previous levels, while Britain has always had to rely on imports. “Traditional rock phosphate reserves are relatively rare and have become depleted in line with their extraction for fertiliser production,” added Johnes.
This growing strain on stocks has raised fears the world will reach “peak phosphorus” in a few years. Supplies will then decline, leaving many nations struggling to obtain enough to feed their people.
The prospect concerns many analysts, who worry that a few cartels could soon control most of the world’s supplies and leave the west highlyvulnerable to soaring prices. The result would be the phosphate equivalent of the oil crisis of the 1970s.
The predicament was once summed up by the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov: “Life can multiply until all the phosphorus is gone and then there is an inexorable halt which nothing can prevent."
What's bad for the planet might be good for us!
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