Despite oft-repeated claims by sources ranging from the United Nations to music star Paul McCartney, it is simply not true that consuming less meat and dairy products will help stop climate change, says a University of California authority on farming and greenhouse gases. “We certainly can reduce our greenhouse-gas production, but not by consuming less … Continue reading
Author Archives: ILRI Communications
Reducing livestock’s emissions shadow
Federated Farmers has enthusiastically welcomed news that the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases is starting to get the financial means to take flight, with over $200 million pledged from New Zealand, the United States and Canada. “We’re ecstatic to see the United States contributing $125 million worth of research over four years, while … Continue reading
Copenhagen, carbon and cows
With agreement at the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen for agriculture to be included in emission reduction targets thought to be imminent, carbon stewardship could be the new currency for sustainable agriculture. After 60 years in the wilderness, organic farmers feel their hour has finally come. Soil Association Director Patrick Holden said: “Paying farmers to … Continue reading
A ‘one health’ approach to addressing emerging zoonoses: The HALI project in Tanzania
In this week’s PLoS Medicine, Jonna Mazet (University of California, Davis) and colleagues describe their work in the Tanzania-based HALI Project, which adopts the ‘One Health’ approach to address emerging zoonoses, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. There is a strong need for integrated health approaches, the authors argue, because explosive human … Continue reading
Global research alliance launched at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen
On 16 December in Copenhagen, agricultural research took center stage at the United Nations Climate Change Conference when Ministers from 18 countries launched a Global Research Alliance that will help us better understand how agriculture can help reduce greenhouse gases while also growing more food. USDA will commit up to $90 Million over four years towards … Continue reading
Copenhagen madness – Patti Kristjanson reflects on a week at COP15
‘So what was it like at COP15’? A tough question to answer. I think my colleague from England summed it up best in his quintessential low-key British manner – ‘it was madness’. But well organized madness, I must say. There can’t be many nationalities apart from the Danish that could have managed and coped with … Continue reading
Africa / Cattle / Climate Change / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock
Activists have a beef with livestock-keeping and meat intake culture
It is not the best time for livestock breeders to be in Copenhagen, especially those whose livelihoods and culture are intertwined with the precious creatures that provide meat in diet. Negotiators and activists here say the world has to cut its meat consumption and activities around raising chicken, pigs, and cattle, saying they are major … Continue reading
Agriculture / Ethiopia / Livestock / Trade
Meeting over low meat export draws blood
A meeting between Abera Deressa(PhD), state minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD), and meat exporters ended in disagreement over low meat export. The meat exporters could go back to the Prime Minister’s Office who prompted the meeting by expressing his dissatisfaction over poor export performance at the monthly meeting of the National Export Coordination … Continue reading
USA makes big push to prevent global pandemic
Recognizing the threat to animal and human health, the federal government has launched a multimillion-dollar initiative in the hopes of preventing the next global pandemic. The U.S. Agency for International Development announced Oct. 22 the start of its Emerging Pandemic Threats program, a five-pronged approach to preparing the world for emerging infectious diseases. It builds … Continue reading
Why Britain faces a bleak future of food shortages
Britain faces a ‘perfect storm’ of water shortage and lack of food, says the government’s chief scientist, and climate change and crop and animal diseases will add to future woes. Science is now striving to find solutions. The farmers of tomorrow will not only have to improve yields using less fertiliser, they will also have … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 