In 1859, almost two hundred years ago, the greenhouse effect was discovered, and research subsequent years later would prove the adverse effects of these emissions on the atmosphere.
Unlike the outcry against using and burning fossil fuels, which has long been acknowledged as a leading cause of GHG emissions, the discovery that the agricultural industry contributes one-third of these emissions came more recently in the early 2000s.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the animal farm industry cannot be ignored. A 2021 report in Nature Food posits that GHG emissions from animal-based foods are double those of plant-based foods and that livestock farming is responsible for about 20% of all people-centric emissions and 60% of food system GHG emissions. This report further notes that if the livestock industry were grouped as one country, it would account for the second largest GHG emitter in the world.
Also, an IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land opines that over 35% of GHG emissions come from the animal farm sector. According to them, it takes about 36.44 kg of carbon dioxide to produce 1000 calories of beef, 7.61 kg for fish and 6.17kg for cheese. There is also the threat of water pollution that comes with animal farming. Research shows that agriculture accounts for over 78% of all water usage in the US. While this number constitutes the agricultural industry as a whole, the animal farm sector is the largest culprit. For example, the same amount of water used to produce 72 lbs of wheat is used to make about a pound of beef. Even chickens, requiring less water than cows or pigs, use up water nine times the equivalent of a plant-based meal. Another factor to consider is the runoff and sewage, which ruin local waterways. It is common practice for farm wastes to be dumped into local rivers or stored in large lagoons that leach into the soil, poisoning the local water supply with ammonia and nitrates. This pollution can spawn excess algae in rivers and streams, polluting the underwater ecosystem for miles. Another adverse effect of animal farming on the environment is animal grazing, resulting in some wild plant species going extinct. Also, a large amount of land is needed to feed these animals. In the US alone, about 781 million acres – are left to lie fallow as grazing fields for farmed animals, and this has led to native species of plants going extinct over the past few decades. Furthermore, animal farming is responsible for 37% of methane production, which is risky because methane is more potent than C02 and has a higher global warming effect. The beef industry primarily produces methane because cows generate methane through digestion and excretion.
However, the concept of sustainable farming is a principle that has been proposed to manage and circumvent the adverse effects of animal farming. The premise behind sustainability reiterates that we must meet the needs of the present in a way that does not impede the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable agriculture seeks to create a balance while promoting environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. It also aims to satisfy human food needs and works to enhance the environment and natural resources upon which the agricultural economy relies.
The first principle of sustainable animal farming is region compatibility. Farmers can reduce natural resource exploitation by breeding animals compatible with their areas' climatic conditions. Cattle, for example, are compatible with cooler regions because warmer temperatures increase their disease risk. Subsequently, farmers in warmer regions contribute to CO2 emissions by powering outdoor fans and indoor air conditioners to create a conducive atmosphere to breed cattle. The second principle of sustainable animal farming is finding naturally available options to reduce GHG emissions. One example is when environmental researchers discovered that seaweed can reduce methane production in cattle. Cows produce methane during fermentation, which takes place during the digestion process, and they minimize discomfort by belching out the greenhouse gas. However, it was discovered that methane production decreased by nearly 80% when seaweed replaced 3% of the cattle feed.
The third principle of sustainable animal agriculture is water conservation. Livestock farmers are encouraged to source their water from rainwater harvesting systems, which preserve freshwater supplies by recycling stormwater. Farmers can then filter this water and use it to hydrate their livestock while using it for other farm-centered activities.
The rise of Agtech is also promising for the agricultural industry. Agtech refers to technology-assisted eco-friendly agricultural practices that are more efficient, effective, and safer than the current agricultural methods. Agtech embraces the concepts of recycling and sustainable farming, reducing the industry's impact on the environment and making the workspace safer for farmers. It also increases efficiency and helps farmers save money in the long run.
The functional purpose of sustainable agriculture remains to preserve the environment by employing eco-friendly strategies in animal farming. It also aims to sustain the economic profitability of farm operations while supporting healthy ecosystems and reducing environmental pollution. When sustainable agriculture is adopted and fully implemented in farms across the country and beyond, there will be reduced GHG emissions, safer workspaces for farmers and more efficiency and profitability in the farming industry.
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