Christopher Papes Gregory Tulchin Colin Sullivan V1003 Climate and Society Fall 2009

The Scientific Issue 56 billion livestock animals are raised and killed around the world, and this number is expected to double by Currently, 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock, more than the entire worldwide transportation industry. 70 percent of the agricultural land, which makes up 30 percent of the earth's surface, is involved in some capacity with raising farm animals.

Livestock Industry The industry has succeeded in meeting demand today, but at what cost?

Effects on Global Warming Enteric Fermentation: –In this process, the large fore-stomach (rumen) of ruminant animals, microbial fermentation converts their fibrous feed into digestible products, which produces methane as a by-product. –86 million tons of methane per year. Manure: –A dairy cow produces 112 pounds of manure per day and a hog produces about 11 pounds per day. –18 million tons per year of methane.

Effects on Global Warming Land-Use Change: –Global livestock-induced emissions from deforestation amount to 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Effects on Global Warming Artificial Fertilizer Production: –14 million tons of nitrogenous fertilizer are produced each year with the fossil fuel consumption emitting roughly 41 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. On-Farm Fossil Fuel Use: –On-farm fossil fuel use contributes up to 90 million tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year.

Case Study: Australia Carbon Farming: –Livestock grazing takes up 56 percent of total land use. –Involves crop rotation and zero-tillage. –CO 2 naturally seeps into vegetation leaves and attracts fungi. Once the plant and roots dissolve, the carbon is incorporated into the soil.

Solutions Improved Efficiency and Better Diets –Increasing the efficiency of livestock production in the US over a thirty-year period has reduced methane emissions by 170,000 tons while producing 10,000,000 more tons of milk. Protection of Forests –International funding is necessary to protect tropical forests, with money coming from the developed countries to help developing states cope with the problem.

Conclusion As China and India continue to develop, their populations will likely consume more animal products, with meat consumption predicted to double between 2002 and If current methods of raising and harvesting these animals continue, GHGs will rise dramatically. New technologies and techniques need to be developed that allow farmers in developing nations to efficiently and effectively reduce the ecological impact of their livestock. Furthermore, we need to consider our diet as a contributor to our 'carbon footprint.'