Cows are an increasingly integral component in the global warming narrative. Every day, depending on who is talking, we hear about the direct and indirect impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. The question of what percent do cows contribute to global warming is becoming a hugely pressing one and there is no single answer. On one hand, they can produce significant quantities of methane gas. On the other, they can be a crucial part of more sustainable land management.
According to research by the US Environmental Protection Agency, cows produce around 0.15-1.50 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, with the average amount estimated to be just 0.5 per cent. By comparison, energy production accounts for more than 23 per cent, followed by transport and industry at 15.9 and 13.9 per cent respectively. A further report by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, in 2017 placed the contribution to climate change from cows as even lower, at just 0.4 per cent, when both direct and indirect effects were taken into consideration.
Much of the debate about the true effect of cattle on global warming centers around the output of methane gas, which the FAO estimates accounts for a 20 per cent share of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, when in a natural setting, cows assist in the retention of carbon in soil, which is important in countering global warming. This is because the increased soil sequestration by grazing ruminants prevents more carbon being absorbed by the atmosphere, further cooling the global climate.
The key takeaway here is that the exact impact of cows on global warming requires further investigation. Positive effects produced by cattle, such as consuming human nutritionally poor food and producing proteins, must weighed against their contribution to the global methane budget.
In addition to the conventional data analysis, an exploration of regional differences in the effect of cows is needed. Different types of land management techniques, along with the number of cows, can make a significant difference in the amount of methane produced, depending on where the cows are present. Recycling of manure, as well as genetic selection based on feed efficiency, can both reduce the production of methane soil on a local level.
Understanding the full potential of cow’s impact on global warming should be a priority for policy makers in order for us to truly identify the best practices for reducing their emission output. Additional research and informed conclusions from stakeholders should be actively pursued in order to successfully assess current mitigation measures and implement successful future plans in fighting global warming.
