Growing up in Hadley, I know just as well as any other Pioneer Valley resident that farm towns across the country are in dire need of environmental support. Because of their amplified use of fossil fuels, they experience increased effects of climate change, particularly air, soil, and water pollution.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute highlights that fossil fuels used by farms release pollutants including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, leading to acid rain, which acidifies soils and water bodies, harming farms’ crop health and aquatic life. Yet the reliance on fossil fuels in farm towns cannot simply end overnight; it requires a gradual transition to more sustainable options. The answer lies in algae.

Algae is a source of biofuel, a renewable fuel made from organic materials such as plants or animal waste. Biofuels emit far less pollutants, making them an excellent alternative to fossil fuels and a promising solution to environmental degradation in farm towns.

Algae is an excellent fuel source for two key reasons — growth and use. Algae boasts fast growth with a high yield rate, requiring much less land than other plants. Given that algae produces 70% of the world’s oxygen supply, growing it for biofuel would only produce more oxygen. Furthermore, algae that is grown for the use of biofuel would allow for oxygen production at a comparable rate to the planting of trees. However, algae uses much less land than trees and also grows much faster, resulting in quicker environmental benefits.

Algal biofuel emits 50-70% less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Algal biofuel also produces environmentally safe byproducts, making it a cleaner alternative. Unlike fossil fuels, the use of algal biofuel does not contribute to soil, water or air pollution. This makes algal biofuel beneficial for farm towns, which rely heavily on clean soil and water sources.

Roughly 40% of the Pioneer Valley is made up of farm towns, and thousands of farmers have experienced changes in soil health. These farmers have had to alter their cultivation methods, switching to cover cropping and reduced tillage. Each of these towns experiences an increase in environmental pollution due to their disproportionate use of fossil fuels. This increased use of fossil fuels substantially impacts their environments, polluting soil and water sources. Both soil and water sources are two things that are extremely important to farmland, as they are the core needs for growing plant and animal life.

Switching to algal biofuel could significantly reduce pollution in farm towns, while directly benefiting farmers by allowing for cleaner water and healthier soil — essentials for their livelihood. This change would lead to better quality products and healthier growing environments, strengthening the agricultural backbone that our communities rely so heavily on.

As mentioned earlier, an overnight halt to fossil fuel use is unrealistic, but a slow transition to the use of algal biofuel is achievable and will bring substantial benefit. While it is not yet as affordable as fossil fuels, its potential to significantly reduce soil and water pollutants makes it a crucial step forward. Beyond just farms, the switch to algal biofuel would bring cleaner air to breathe, a benefit not just for farmers but for all residents of the Pioneer Valley.

This shift could help preserve our farmland, our health, and our environment for generations to come.

Grant Donta-Venman is a graduate of Hopkins Academy in Hadley currently studying environmental science and law at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.