Nitrogen & phosphorus loading

Managing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering water ecosystems.

A global overview

Reactive nitrogen and phosphorus are widely used in agricultural fertilizers but only a small proportion of what is applied is actually taken up by crops. Most of the excess runs off into rivers, lakes and oceans, where it causes algae blooms that turn the water green, brown or even red. These blooms can be toxic and they kill off other aquatic life by starving the water of oxygen.

How is digital tech relevant to nitrogen and phosphorus loading?

Areas of tension

These are the issues, negative impacts and concerns collectively raised by the attendees from our pilot workshops.

For the global population

No obvious connections arising specifically from the digital tech industry.

How can we nudge these tensions for the better?

Grounds for hope

These are visions and ideas for change collectively raised by the attendees from our pilot workshops.

For the global population

  • All company provided meals being low on meat & dairy, locally sourced where possible, local diets.
  • Tech can support a more targeted use of both in agriculture.

Keen to learn more?

If you’d like to explore these issues yourself, either as an individual or with your work colleagues, why not run your own workshop?

Our workshop methodology is open source and available for anyone to use for free. Alternatively you can hire trusted professionals to facilitate the process on your behalf.