There is no disputing that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching consequences for the global population. Debate continues to swirl over the extent to which various activities, from recycling to the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to its acceleration in intensity and frequency. Perhaps surprisingly, cow manure is also considered an environmental concern – so what exactly is the potential impact of cow manure on global warming?
From a purely scientific perspective, cow manure can be seen to contribute to climate change in three ways: emission of carbon dioxide, production of methane, and combustion. Cow manure contains carbon, which upon decomposition, is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas known to contribute significantly to global warming. Likewise, cow manure can also produce methane, another powerful greenhouse gas produced through anaerobic decomposition. Finally, in agricultural applications, cow manure can be burned to release energy, further adding to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Combined, these three processes can contribute significantly to climate change.
Nonetheless, the equation is far from black and white. Cow manure, when adequately managed, can actually become a useful renewable resource, useful for biogas production, fertilization, livestock feedstock and fuel production. In these instances, cows may actually serve to benefit the environment through the provision of alternative energy sources and climate-friendly practices. Through these alternative methods, cow manure can be seen as a beneficial renewable instrument if handled properly.
It could also be argued that, while cow manure and the processes associated with its application may indeed contribute to climate change and global warming, their impact is minor in comparison to more pervasive sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels. For instance, a recent United Nations report has highlighted that close to 70% of global green house gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to non-livestock sources, suggesting that cow manure pales in comparison to other human activities. Thus, approaches to climate change should focus on strengthening mitigation measures across all sectors of the economy, and that limiting or eliminating food production is unlikely to yield the desired results.
All told, it appears that the jury is still out on the extent to which cow manure contributes to global warming. On one hand, it can be seen to release methane, carbon dioxide, and other gases into the atmosphere, and could therefore be a contributing factor to climate change. On the other hand, cow manure can be used in ways that benefit the environment, and even though it is a source of GHG emissions, its overall impact may be relatively small compared to other sources. Ultimately, the responsibility falls on us to use cow manure in a more effective manner and create alternative energy sources that can lessen and hopefully one day refute its contribution to global warming.
In conclusion, the best way forward is to adopt proactive policies that aim to reduce GHGs from all sources in order to achieve sustainable agriculture and global food security. At the same time, we must strive to understand cow manure’s potential contributions to global warming in order to make better and more informed decisions to ensure that future generations may benefit from a healthier, safer, and more sustainable planet.
