Organic farming uses more land per kilogram of food produced

How do they compare on carbon emissions, water pollution, biodiversity, and land use?

As someone who has studied the environmental impacts of agriculture for many years, there are a handful of questions that I get over and over. One of them is whether we are right to assume that organic farming is better for the environment than conventional farming.

I think this is a common assumption. When I eat with others, there is often an expectation that I will automatically choose the organic option. When I speak to friends, they are keen to tell me that they’ve started buying organic vegetables or beef. They are looking for a thumbs-up that this was the best choice.