HUMAN urine could start to play a crucial role in feeding the world, scientists claim.
Re-using human pee may be our best option of fertilizing farmer’s fields in an environmentally friendly way that doesn’t waste water or contribute to climate change.
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A lot of fertilizers that farmers currently use can be harmful to the environment.
They can get into waterways and kill fish and algae.
Emissions from fertilizers can also contribute to dangerous air pollution.
A group of scientists thinks human urine could provide the key nutrients these fertilizers provide in a much more efficient way.
Pee would also be far less expensive than fertilizers, making it more accessible for farmers across the globe.
Urine contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
They also happen to be ingredients that plants need to grow.
Engineer Fabien Esculier told France 24 that we ingest these substances from food and then excrete them.
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According to the outlet, Julia Cavicchi, of the United States Rich Earth Institute, added: “Since the production of synthetic nitrogen is a significant source of greenhouse gases, and phosphorus is a limited and non-renewable resource, urine-diverting systems offer a long-term resilient model for human waste management and agricultural production.”
The premise of the theory isn’t a new one.
Some gardeners recommend peeing on your flowers to help them grow.
Squeamishness towards using pee in this way could be holding the concept back but scientists think future water shortages could leave us with no choice but to reuse urine.
Anthropologist Marine Legrand recently highlighted some of the obstacles to AFP.
However, she does think we may change our attitude to toilet habits when faced with bigger issues.
She said: “We are beginning to understand how precious water is.
“So it becomes unacceptable to defecate in it.”
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