This graphic shows several ways synthetic fertilizers contribute to climate change and environmental degradation: 1) soil microbial conversion of nitrogen fertilizers to nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas), 2) nitrate runoff into water bodies fueling algal blooms, 3) leaching of nitrates into the soil and contaminating groundwater, and 4) greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of synthetic fertilizers. This graphic appeared in an October 2018 article from Inside Climate News by Paul Horn.