How Bovine Culture Causes Global Warming

• Links to Global Warming

  According to www.newsbusters.org, a cow that weighs 1,210 pounds is capable of producing 28 to 35 cubic feet of emissions daily. UN News Centre notes that 30% of the earth's land is devoted to livestock rearing. As a result, cattle generate more CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases than transportation. Because global livestock rearing is on the rise, ever more forests are being cleared for pastures. Deforestation then leads to the release of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• A Major Culprit

  Greendaily.com notes that the Argentinean meat industry contributes significantly to the problem of global warming. The industry is blamed for 30% of that country's greenhouse gases---the 300 gallons of flatulence from its 55 million cows. Fortunately, the industry is looking into dietary changes for cattle, which could reduce emissions by as much as 25%.

• Why Be Concerned

  The report "Livestock's Long Shadow---Environmental Issues and Options," estimates that livestock is responsible for as much as 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, 9% of carbon dioxide and 37% of methane. Methane and nitrous oxide are considered a greater threat to global warming than carbon dioxide. With demand for meat on the rise, the report anticipates the world livestock industry will double by 2050.

• What Can Be Done

  Scientists are in the process of reformulating cows' diets in an effort to reduce the impact bovine culture has on global warming. That would mean moving away from the current regimen of grain and toward alfalfa and clover to reduce enteric fermentation and the resulting emissions. In addition to altering cow diets, soil conservation, excluding cattle from problematic or heavily populated areas, recycling manure and improving irrigation should be considered.

References & Resources

• Information on Greenhouse Gases
• Information on Greenhouse Gases
• Information on Greenhouse Gases