Livestock and Climate Change

From Green Policy
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(4 intermediate revisions by one user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  
 
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Modelo_didatico_bovino_correto.jpg/220px-Modelo_didatico_bovino_correto.jpg
 
  
  
Line 9: Line 7:
  
  
[http://www.worldwatch.org/ Worldwatch] / State of the World (2009)
+
''Whenever the causes of climate change are  discussed, fossil fuels top the list. Oil, natural gas, and especially coal are indeed major sources of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other green house gases (GHGs). The impacts of livestock are increasingly being considered for their climate and environmental impacts -- and alternative approaches proposed for less harmful impacts and sustainable, healthy results.''
  
''The environmental impact of the lifecycle and supply chain of animals raised for food has been vastly underestimated, and in fact accounts for at least half of all human-caused greenhouse gases (GHGs), according to Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang, co-authors of [http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Livestock%20and%20Climate%20Change.pdf "Livestock and Climate Change"].''
+
''The life cycle and supply chain of domesticated animals raised for food are additional source of GHGs, and estimates vary of the substantial impact of live-stock farming. Many today agree that with livestock farming/ag alternatives are a necessary strategy for reversing climate change.''
 
+
''A widely cited 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, estimates that 18 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions are attributable to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, pigs, and poultry. But recent analysis by Goodland and Anhang finds that livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions. (note: livestock greenhouse gas statistics vary widely among current studies)''
+
 
+
 
+
[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/17/methane-levels-sharp-rise-threaten-paris-climate-agreement '''''Sharp rise in methane levels threatens world climate targets''''']
+
 
+
 
+
----
+
 
+
 
+
''Whenever the causes of climate change are  discussed, fossil fuels top the list. Oil, natural gas, and especially coal are indeed major sources of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other green house  gases (GHGs). But we believe that the life cycle and supply chain of domesticated animals raised for food have been vastly under estimated as a source of GHGs, and in fact  account for at least half of all human-caused GHGs. If this arg ument is right, it implies that replacing live-stock  products with better alternatives would be the best strategy for reversing climate change. In fact, this approach would have far more rapid effects on GHG emissions and  their atmospheric concentrations — and thus on the rate the climate is warming than actions to replace fossil fuels  with renew able energy.''
+
  
  
Line 32: Line 19:
  
 
'''More than Hamburgers'''
 
'''More than Hamburgers'''
 
  
 
''World-wide, there are about 1.5 billion cows and bulls. All ruminants (animals which regurgitates food and re-chews it) on the world emit about two billion metric tons of CO2-equivalents per year. In addition,  deforestation - clearing of tropical forests and rain forests to get more grazing land and farm land - is responsible for an extra 2.8 billion metric tons of CO2 emission per year.''
 
''World-wide, there are about 1.5 billion cows and bulls. All ruminants (animals which regurgitates food and re-chews it) on the world emit about two billion metric tons of CO2-equivalents per year. In addition,  deforestation - clearing of tropical forests and rain forests to get more grazing land and farm land - is responsible for an extra 2.8 billion metric tons of CO2 emission per year.''
Line 50: Line 36:
 
'''Livestock – Climate Change’s Forgotten Sector Global Public Opinion on Meat and Dairy Consumption'''
 
'''Livestock – Climate Change’s Forgotten Sector Global Public Opinion on Meat and Dairy Consumption'''
  
https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/field/field_document/20141203LivestockClimateChangeBaileyFroggattWellesley.pdf
+
[https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/field/field_document/20141203LivestockClimateChangeBaileyFroggattWellesley.pdf Livestock & Climate Change - PDF]
  
 
Consumption of meat and dairy produce is a major driver of climate change.
 
Consumption of meat and dairy produce is a major driver of climate change.
Line 74: Line 60:
 
<big>'''Controlling emissions from cattle'''</big>
 
<big>'''Controlling emissions from cattle'''</big>
  
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/california-governor-backs-rules-on-cow-landfill-emissions/2016/09/19/6548d604-7e98-11e6-ad0e-ab0d12c779b1_story.html (2016)
+
* https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/california-governor-backs-rules-on-cow-landfill-emissions/2016/09/19/6548d604-7e98-11e6-ad0e-ab0d12c779b1_story.html (2016)
  
  
Line 152: Line 138:
 
Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change
 
Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change
  
http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/
+
* http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/
  
  
Line 174: Line 160:
 
[[Category:Food-Related Policies]]
 
[[Category:Food-Related Policies]]
 
[[Category:Global Warming]]
 
[[Category:Global Warming]]
 +
[[Category:Sustainability]]
 +
[[Category:Texas]]

Latest revision as of 14:35, 22 September 2020


Livestock and Climate Change

Livestock: Key Actors in Climate Change


Whenever the causes of climate change are discussed, fossil fuels top the list. Oil, natural gas, and especially coal are indeed major sources of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other green house gases (GHGs). The impacts of livestock are increasingly being considered for their climate and environmental impacts -- and alternative approaches proposed for less harmful impacts and sustainable, healthy results.

The life cycle and supply chain of domesticated animals raised for food are additional source of GHGs, and estimates vary of the substantial impact of live-stock farming. Many today agree that with livestock farming/ag alternatives are a necessary strategy for reversing climate change.


················


Modelo didatico bovino correto.jpg


More than Hamburgers

World-wide, there are about 1.5 billion cows and bulls. All ruminants (animals which regurgitates food and re-chews it) on the world emit about two billion metric tons of CO2-equivalents per year. In addition, deforestation - clearing of tropical forests and rain forests to get more grazing land and farm land - is responsible for an extra 2.8 billion metric tons of CO2 emission per year.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) agriculture is responsible for 18% of the total release of greenhouse gases world-wide (this is more than the whole transportation sector).



Energy, Environment and Resources

December 2014

Livestock – Climate Change’s Forgotten Sector Global Public Opinion on Meat and Dairy Consumption

Livestock & Climate Change - PDF

Consumption of meat and dairy produce is a major driver of climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector are estimated to account for 14.5 per cent of the global total, more than direct emissions from the transport sector.

Even with ambitious supply-side action to reduce the emissions intensity of livestock production, rising global demand for meat and dairy produce means emissions will continue to rise. Shifting global demand for meat and dairy produce is central to achieving climate goals.

Recent analyses have shown that it is unlikely global temperature rises can be kept below two degrees Celsius without a shift in global meat and dairy consumption.

Reducing demand for animal products could also significantly reduce mitigation costs in non-agricultural sectors by increasing their available carbon budget. However, there is a striking paucity of efforts to reduce consumption of meat and dairy products.

A number of factors, not least fear of backlash, have made governments and environmental groups reluctant to pursue policies or campaigns to shift consumer behaviour.

The lack of attention afforded to the issue among policy-makers and opinion-formers contributes to a lack of research on how best to reduce meat and dairy consumption.

As a first step in addressing this lack of research, Ipsos MORI was commissioned by Chatham House to undertake the first multi-country, multilingual online survey specifically to explore public attitudes on the relationship between meat/dairy consumption and climate change.



Controlling emissions from cattle



U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report: 1990-2014

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer

EPA develops an annual report called the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory). This report tracks total annual U.S. emissions and removals by source, economic sector, and greenhouse gas going back to 1990. EPA uses national energy data, data on national agricultural activities, and other national statistics to provide a comprehensive accounting of total greenhouse gas emissions for all man-made sources in the United States. EPA also collects greenhouse gas emissions data from individual facilities and suppliers of certain fossil fuels and industrial gases through the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.



Land, irrigation water, greenhouse gas, and reactive nitrogen burdens of meat, eggs, and dairy production in the United States



Via International Business Times

Cow Farts Have ‘Larger Greenhouse Gas Impact’ Than Previously Thought; Methane Pushes Climate Change

November 2013

A new study of methane emissions finds that the U.S. is spewing 50 percent more methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times better at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere than the Environmental Protection Agency previously assumed.

“Overall, we conclude that methane emissions associated with both the animal husbandry and fossil fuel industries have larger greenhouse gas impacts than indicated by existing inventories.” According to the new research published in the 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Science', livestock’s noxious flatulence accounts for a large portion of the methane gas being released into the atmosphere. Researchers say cows are producing twice as much methane gas as scientists previously believed. The states in the US producing the most methane gas were Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.



Better livestock diets to combat climate change and improve food security

The projected transition of livestock systems from pure grazing diets to diets supplemented by higher quality feeds will cut greenhouse gas emissions from land use change globally by as much as 23% by 2030, while improving food availability and farmers’ income, shows new IIASA research.

Livestock production is responsible for 12% of human-related greenhouse gas emissions, primarily coming from land use change and deforestation caused by expansion of agriculture, as well as methane released by the animals themselves, with a lesser amount coming from manure management and feed production.

“There is a lot of discussion about reduction of meat in the diets as a way to reduce emissions,” says IIASA researcher Petr Havlík, who led the study “But our results show that targeting the production side of agriculture is a much more efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”



Better human diet

Vegetarian or omnivore: The environmental implications of diet



Going vegetarian halves CO2 emissions from your food



Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change



Dietary greenhouse gas emissions of meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans


Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
GreenPolicy360
Daily Green Stories
About Our Network
Navigate GreenPolicy
Hot Times
Climate Action Plans 360
GreenPolicy360 in Focus
Going Green
Global Green New Deal
Green Education
Relational Eco-Politics
Biodiversity, Protecting Life
New Visions of Security
Strategic Demands
'Planetary Health Pledge'
Global Food Revolution
Earthviews
Countries & Maps
Digital 360
Fact Checking, 'Facts Count'
Data, Intelligence, Science
GreenPolicy360 & Science
Climate Denial / Misinfo
Eco-Education
GreenPolicy Reviews
Envir Legis Info (U.S.)
Envir-Climate Laws (U.S.)
Trump Era Envir Rollbacks
Wiki Ballotpedia (U.S.)
Wiki Politics (U.S.)
Wikimedia Platform
Green News/Dailies
Green News Services (En)
Green Zines (En)
Green Lists @Wikipedia
Climate Action UN News
Climate Agreement / INDCs
Wikipedia on Climate
GrnNews Reddit Daily
Climate Current Metrics
Climate Historic Studies
Climate Change - MIT
Climate Change - NASA
Copernicus Programme
Our World in Data
Worldometer
EcoInternet Search Engine
Ecosia Search Engine
Identify Nature's Species
Meta
Tools