Which strategy is effective in reducing greenhouse gas production?

Reducing fuel loads and wildfire emissions is an effective strategy for decreasing greenhouse gas production because wildfires release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases into the atmosphere. By managing vegetation and lowering the fuel available for wildfires, it is possible to mitigate the intensity and frequency of these fires, thereby reducing their emissions.

Effective fuel management practices, such as controlled burns or mechanical thinning, help maintain healthier ecosystems, which can enhance carbon sequestration—where trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide over time. This dual benefit of minimizing wildfire emissions while promoting carbon storage in vegetation underscores the effectiveness of reducing fuel loads in combating climate change.

In contrast, the other options would either contribute to greenhouse gas emissions or have negative impacts on the environment. Increased chemical fertilizer use can lead to nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Promoting monoculture farming often results in reduced biodiversity and soil health, which can negatively affect the ecosystem's ability to sequester carbon. Extensive land clearing disrupts carbon-storing vegetation and leads to increased atmospheric carbon through the decomposition of organic matter.