Together with other grazing animals, cows contribute about 40 percent of the annual methane budget
Did you know that the livestock sector is responsible 14% of the total greenhouse gas emissions? There are almost a billion cows on earth and that number is constantly growing as demand for beef and dairy increases. Together with other grazing animals, cows contribute about 40 percent of the annual methane budget. Methane is very problematic because it is about 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth.
In this episode of the Beans or Beings podcast we hear from Pete Smith, professor of Soils and Global change at the University of Aberdeen. Prof Smith directs the Scottish Climate Change Centre of Expertise and is also one of the authors of the United Nation’s Special Report on Climate Change and Land.
Prof Smith and the team of experts found overconsumption of meat was a key driver to climate change. The UN report he compiled suggests that more people could be fed using less land if we reduce our meat consumption and move towards a more sustainable plant-based diet.
If you want to hear Prof Smith talk about the environmental impact of cows, the process of "carbon sequestration", strategies to reverse climate change and how to help the planet through your personal food choices, click on the play button.