For people who see stopping deforestation as the quickest climate-change win, Copenhagen seemed a success. Although there is still work to be done on the initiative known as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), the deal struck in Copenhagen made it into a real thing, not just an idea. The notion of reducing … Continue reading
Category Archives: Environment
Feeding the future …
Writing in the December 2009 issue of Livestock Research for Rural Development, University of Queensland Professor David Farrell reflects on the feed, food and land area that the world will require by 2016-2018. “The alarming increase in biofuel production, the projected demand for livestock products, and the estimated food to feed the additional 700 million … Continue reading
Brazil / Cattle / Climate Change / Environment / Latin America / Livestock
Climate change: Cattle, the ignored predator
Because of its effect on the environment, cattle must be given the same priority in global agendas as nuclear weapons, wars and, in particular, climate change, says Brazilian activist João Meirelles Filho, author of two books on Amazon deforestation. Cattle farming in Brazil is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions, as it is responsible … Continue reading
Climate Change / Environment / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock
Kenya: Rich nations should help the poor in climate change
We’ve discussed research indicating that eating a less meat-intensive diet could reduce our contribution to global climate change as well as increase life expectancy by reducing heart disease risk. This is based on the reality that farming practices in wealthy nations are resource intensive, producing green house gasses in any number of ways. The fatty … Continue reading
COP 15: Vegetarian mafia descend on Copenhagen
THEY’RE waiting for unwitting passengers stepping off the train and heading for the climate talks – the vegetarian mafia thinking they can solve the world’s pollution problems by turning everyone off meat. Funny little people, often dressed as chooks or cows (or last night, a prawn) and are everywhere handing out show bags full of … Continue reading
Soggy pork … and other climate change choices
The world faces some interesting choices in the next few years. As illustrated by the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations, we have to decide whether and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a wide range of sectors, from energy generation to transportation and beyond. The livestock industry faces particular uncertainty in this environment. According to various … Continue reading
Asia / Cattle / Dairying / Environment / Livestock / Pastoralism / Vulnerability
Pastoralism unraveling in Mongolia
A pungent odor like turpentine wafts over the hillsides north of the Mongolian capital. It comes from the sharilj, a wild plant that has taken over the scalloped landscape, a telltale sign of overgrazing since the plant is inedible for sheep and goats. Sukhtseren Sharav has a herd of 150 goats and 100 sheep, and … Continue reading
Key to Brazil’s deforestation may be in its cows, pastures
At an experimental government farm in the western Amazon’s Rondonia state, researchers analyze grass seeds under microscopes, shake soil samples in test tubes, and measure the milk production of a new breed of cows. While high-profile police raids targeting illegal ranchers and loggers in the Amazon grab more headlines, these scientists may produce a more … Continue reading
Rough draft: The effects of animal agriculture on climate change
With the polar ice caps melting and the polar bears facing extinction, the world is forced to evaluate the state of its environment. Climate change caused by global warming is an issue that demands attention and immediate care. Measures are being taken to reduce green house gases (i.e. recycling, driving hybrid cars, other energy sources) … Continue reading
Africa / CGIAR / Climate Change / East Africa / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / Livestock / Research
Climate, food and developing country livestock farmers
Livestock researchers believe that rather than rid the world of livestock it’s preferable to find ways to farm animals more efficiently, profitably and sustainably, according to a new short film (see link below) prepared by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on livestock and climate change. Watch video. . . (Climate, Food and Developing Country … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 