Global Warming and Cannabis: A Winning Combination

Right now, we are experiencing heat waves, and the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent. Global warming is a serious problem for all of humanity. And the situation is only getting worse. In fact, scientists and experts in the cannabis and CBD industries are highlighting the potential of this plant in the fight against climate change. According to them, growing cannabis (or hemp) offers benefits, some of which help combat this extreme phenomenon.

Cannabis to Combat Global Warming—But to What Extent? 

As you can see, excess CO2 is altering the Earth’s climate. It is the main cause of global climate change. Its decline over the past 800,000 years has enhanced the atmosphere’s ability to trap the sun’s heat through the greenhouse effect. Hence the long-standing idea that growing cannabis can mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

In fact, experts increasingly agree that the world's most diverse crops can help slow down ecological collapse. Thanks to the way it is grown, hemp actually consumes very little water, and its byproducts help reduce carbon emissions.

One of the main claims is that hemp cultivation can replace terpenes from forestry. These terpenes play an important role in regulating atmospheric conditions. Monoterpenes (chemical formula C10H16) are particularly important for this mechanism. When released, they diffuse into the stratosphere via convection and react with atmospheric ozone (OH and NO3), oxidizing to form various byproducts.

The mechanism by which monoterpenes help protect our planet from the harmful effects of the sun's UV radiation is not yet fully understood. However, we do know that oxidation products in the atmosphere contribute to the formation of clouds that reflect solar radiation and increase precipitation.

In addition, cannabis is considered a plant with good carbon sequestration properties. It sequesters approximately 0.67 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year. As it grows, cannabis absorbs and stores CO₂, taking carbon from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. It therefore appears to be a good alternative in the fight against global warming.

The positive effects of cannabis on the climate cannot be assessed from an ecological perspective without taking cultivation methods into account. In agriculture, this plant is used as a weed control and soil-rejuvenation agent. Its rapid growth suppresses weeds, slows the growth of certain annual crops, and prevents the spread of pests. It improves soil quality: 1 hectare of this crop absorbs 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, most of which is returned to the soil.

For example, a study conducted by Colorado State University in 2021 showed that each kilogram of hemp can sequester 2 to 5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere.

In addition, cannabis is an easy crop to grow that requires little irrigation. The growth cycle of hemp is largely determined by the photoperiod, which means that flowering and the subsequent harvest occur on the dates specified by the seed producer, regardless of the sowing date. Only the yield varies.

That is why hemp is a plant that can be grown anywhere in the world, in all types of soil, and in climates ranging from 7 to 30 °C. It is an excellent organic crop that requires little water, is not invasive, and is ideal for organic farming.

Hemp is lightweight, strong, and flexible, making it suitable for a wide range of household uses, including insulation, decor, and furniture. In terms of sustainable construction, it has excellent thermal and sound insulation properties. Not to mention that it is highly resistant to dirt, mold, bacteria, insects, and various weather conditions. Above all, it is exceptionally durable. According to experts, a hemp house can last several hundred years. Optimists even say thousands of years.

Furthermore, building eco-friendly homes is a two-pronged solution for protecting the planet. Steel and cement—whose production releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere—are replaced by hemp logs and stones that are compacted outdoors using solar energy. This is the case with certain companies, such as UK Hempcrete. It has been working for years to reduce CO2 emissions in home construction by up to 90 percent. In addition, the company uses hemp mixed with lime and water to make bricks from natural materials.

Conserving resources is an important factor in the fight against global warming. Industry sources claim that cannabis is in fact a key component of the European Union’s “Green Deal” to revive the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hemp is a plant with many uses. In addition to textiles, paper, plastics, and food, new projects are opening up a new application for hemp—one it was not originally intended for: biofuels.

In 2010, researchers at the University of Connecticut demonstrated that industrial hemp possesses the properties necessary to produce a "viable" and even "attractive" biodiesel. The biodiesel derived from hemp was highly effective. According to the researchers, 97% of the hemp oil was converted into biodiesel—and passed all laboratory tests. Its properties even suggest that it can be used at lower temperatures than any other biodiesel currently on the market. As a green solution, biofuels are touted as an ideal solution for combating climate change.

Hemp can help protect soil quality and biodiversity. You may not know this, but agriculture is one of the main causes of soil degradation. It degrades soil quality and renders it infertile. It affects the soil’s acidity or alkalinity and the amount of organic matter in the soil. Hemp’s strong root system improves soil structure and acts as a soil conditioner. It thrives in deep soils and prefers soils with good water balance, but its history shows that temperate soils are well-suited to it.

In fact, compared to crops such as rapeseed and sunflowers, hemp has the highest number and activity of arthropod predators. Due to the extensive and dense leaf cover, spiders and ground beetles are two to three times more numerous than in other crops. The ground cover and foliage are a major advantage, as they provide shelter, moisture, and food for all these predators.

The term "fast fashion" refers to a highly profitable and exploitative business model based on "copying and imitating luxury fashion designs." The fashion industry and its supply chain is the third most polluting sector after food and construction. It accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and emits 1.2 billion metric tons of CO2 per year—more than shipping and aviation combined.

Clothing is mass-produced, and workers are often forced to labor under inhumane conditions. The fast pace of consumption also shortens the lifespan of clothing and raises a number of ethical and sustainability issues. The pollution caused by fast fashion not only inflicts long-term, irreversible damage on the environment but also contributes to the effects of climate change.

To mitigate this problem, companies such as Patagonia, Levi’s, and Jun Maven have made significant strides in finding more environmentally friendly materials in the textile industry. Hemp is once again in a strong competitive position. The tragedy seems to have raised public awareness about more responsible and sustainable consumption. We can therefore say that hemp textiles are the future of eco-friendly clothing.

In short, cannabis could very well help reverse environmental degradation. It’s important to remember that protecting the planet is one of the pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals. Hemp cultivation reduces carbon emissions and is an unparalleled source of sustainable agriculture. Its illegality still hinders its use in many countries. However, the more we support hemp cultivation and the use of its products, the more we contribute to the fight against global warming.

Although it remains controversial on the market, cannabis is becoming an increasingly valuable and effective plant for addressing many everyday problems.