livestock farming
Newsletter
Credit: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Food waste and agriculture are major drivers of methane emissions
Researchers have found that human activities, especially food production and waste, are responsible for two-thirds of global methane emissions, offering a chance for intervention.
In short:
- Global methane emissions have risen rapidly, with agriculture and waste contributing nearly twice as much as fossil fuel production.
- Livestock farming, particularly cattle and sheep, is the largest agricultural source of methane, with dietary changes and innovations like seaweed feed additives as potential solutions.
- Managing food waste better, such as through composting, can also significantly reduce methane emissions.
Key quote:
Reducing methane "is also seen as a possible way to buy time.”
— Peter Raymond, professor of ecosystem ecology at the Yale School of the Environment
Why this matters:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat much more effectively than CO2, though it has a shorter lifespan. Reducing methane emissions can provide a faster impact in slowing global warming, making it a key target for climate action.
Learn more: How the world wastes an astonishing amount of food, in three charts
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Credit: ILRI/Flickr
Reviving ancient practices to combat desertification in Jordan
Communities in Jordan are successfully using the ancient practice of hima to combat overgrazing and desertification, revitalizing local ecosystems and traditions.
In short:
- Hima, an ancient land-management practice, is being revived in Jordan to combat overgrazing and desertification, resulting in a significant increase in plant biomass and biodiversity.
- The rotational grazing system protects certain areas, allowing them to recover, which benefits both the environment and local shepherds.
- International conservation organizations are looking to scale up this culturally integrated approach across the Middle East.
Key quote:
"Our religion tells us that whoever plants a tree—and an animal, a bird, or a person eats from it, or takes shade in it, or lives in it—then he has good deeds, and his reward is with God."
— Emad al-Alimat, Bedouin shepherd
Why this matters:
Reviving hima not only restores ecosystems but also supports local communities, blending conservation with cultural and religious traditions, and offering a sustainable model for land management in arid regions. Read more: Climate, justice, and the deep roots of regenerative farming.
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Manure digesters may worsen pollution in large farms
New research suggests that manure digesters, hailed as a solution to livestock farm pollution, may actually exacerbate environmental harm by encouraging larger farms.
In short:
- Manure digesters, designed to collect methane from animal waste, are promoting the expansion of large farms, increasing manure production.
- The increase in herd sizes, driven by the incentive to produce more biogas, undermines the methane reduction benefits of digesters while digester byproducts threaten water quality.
- Kewaunee County, with its rising number of cows and decreasing farms, faces significant pollution problems linked to large-scale farming practices.
Key quote:
"We see in this report on Kewaunee County that farms with digesters increase their herd size."
— Molly Armus, animal agriculture program manager, Friends of the Earth
Why this matters:
Understanding the true impact of manure digesters is crucial for developing effective environmental policies that protect water quality and public health while addressing the broader issue of agricultural pollution. Read more: Environmental groups petition EPA to rescind factory farms’ “free pass to pollute.”
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Credit: Mizzou CAFNR/Flickr
New ideas shed light on addressing climate issues
Environmental scientist Hannah Ritchie discusses how technological advances could lead to a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges.
In short:
- Clean energy technology is making strides, providing a hopeful outlook for sustainable development.
- The environmental impact of livestock farming highlights the importance of finding solutions for food production that align with sustainability goals.
- The politics of implementing large-scale climate initiatives remain complex and challenging, but progress in technology is opening doors to potential solutions.
Key quote:
"These are tractable problems. They’re not easy problems. They’re really, really difficult to tackle, but they’re tractable."
— Hannah Ritchie, lead researcher at Our World in Data.
Why this matters:
Innovations in clean energy and agriculture will play a significant role in shaping a sustainable future, but the road ahead will require cooperation, determination, and effective policy. Read more: The global food system is failing small-scale farmers — here’s how to fix it.
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Credit: Danielle Brigida/Flickr
‘We said, there must be ladies’: the pioneering Maasai women ending all-male leadership of the land
In one Kenyan reserve, women are taking up roles that give them a say in community life and protecting the land they depend on – inspiring a new generation to follow in their footsteps.
Sheep find a home on Texas solar farms as “agrivoltaics” gain popularity
The practice of using land for both agriculture and solar power generation, known as agrivoltaics, is becoming increasingly common in Texas and nationwide.
Steven Penton/Flickr
Queensland carbon-negative soil project issued record number of credit units
It may look like a typical cattle paddock north of Brisbane, but this soil is doing much more than producing grass to feed the animals.
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