Faunalytics
August 2017
To curb rising temperatures, most countries have focused on reducing
carbon dioxide (CO2) as a way of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
However, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also significant GHG
contributors to climate change. Livestock farming is the primary producer of
both of these GHGs, and is responsible for about 15% of all GHG emissions
related to human activity. CH4’s short atmospheric lifespan and the mean
global warming potential of both CH4 and N2O over the next century make
reducing these GHGs imperative to the short-term.
Although up to half of the possible mitigation of GHGs in the agriculture,
forestry, and land-use sectors could be accomplished by cutting back on
livestock, the global demand for meat makes that impossible. Due to policies
and cost surrounding the livestock industry, scientists estimate that only
10% of the potential livestock-related GHG reduction is possible.
Without human dietary change, the livestock industry could account for half
of our emissions budget imposed by the Paris Agreement by 2050, and all of
it by 2070.
Go here to read the full study - From Beef To Beans: Mitigating Climate Change.
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