beef
Leaders ignore animal agriculture's role in climate change at G7 and Bonn summit
World leaders failed to address the significant climate impact of animal agriculture during recent G7 and Bonn climate conferences, despite growing evidence of its environmental harm.
In short:
- The G7 summit and Bonn Climate Change Conference focused on financial debates, omitting discussions on the climate impact of animal agriculture.
- Animal agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, yet international talks rarely address it directly.
- The new Apulia Food Systems Initiative aims to aid poorer nations' agricultural adaptation but does not address livestock emissions.
Key quote:
“We’re seeing, essentially, the cow in the room being ignored.”
— Stephanie Feldstein, population and sustainability director at the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change, responsible for significant methane emissions and environmental degradation. Advocates say addressing this issue is crucial for achieving global climate goals and mitigating planetary warming.
Climate change challenges Brazil's beef industry
Brazil's beef industry faces a potential 25% reduction in production by 2050 if it fails to adapt to stringent climate policies and forest conservation efforts.
In short:
- Brazil's beef production might decrease by a quarter by 2050 due to enhanced climate and forest conservation measures.
- The cattle industry faces significant financial risks unless it adopts new technologies and sustainable practices.
- Deforestation linked to cattle ranching exacerbates climate change, negatively affecting cattle health and soil productivity.
Key quote:
"The future of the Brazilian cattle sector is set to look very different to how it appears and operates today."
— Niamh McCarthy, director of Orbitas
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods are expected to impact pasture quality and water availability, crucial for cattle grazing. These environmental changes can lead to reduced feed quality and availability, stressing cattle and potentially decreasing meat and milk production.
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