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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Cattle are the number industry driving deforestation. In some countries cattle outnumber humans, producing dangerous amounts of greenhouse gases and water pollution which has begun to cause devastating harm to newborns in places such as Wisconsin
Problems with Cattle
Problems with Cattle
"Methane from human activity is emitted by five key industries: oil and gas, coal, agriculture, solid waste, and waste water."
Agriculture
Agriculture
"The agriculture sector, which emits an estimated 40 to 50 percent of anthropogenic methane, could achieve a 12 percent reduction in these emissions by 2030 and a 30 percent reduction by 2050. Agricultural emissions are primarily the result of ruminant animals (principally cows and sheep), farming practices, and rice production." - McKinsey Sustainability
Global methane from human activities, % share. 100% = 380 metric megatons of methane per year.
"Other" includes industry and vehicle transport emissions.
Deforestation & Habitat Loss
Deforestation & Habitat Loss
Grass-Fed Livestock
Grass-Fed Livestock
While people assume that grass-fed animals are simply grazed on land that has always been grassland, this can't be further from the truth. Historically much more of Earth used to be highly-biodiverse forest, wetland, and other land that would be considered poor for grazing. Over the centuries much of this land has been chopped, burned, and in the cases of wetlands including peatlands drained and filled in to provide more grazing space for livestock. Over time countries such as Ethiopia and Scotland went from mostly covered in lush forests, to currently bare wastelands compared to their previous biodiversity.
Today cattle still invade the remaining pockets of forest, nibbling away at saplings and shoots, threatening the survival of our remaining pockets of forest.
Soil & Erosion
Soil & Erosion
"A new study found multiple effects on soils from exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics, including alteration of the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, soil respiration and elemental cycling." - Multiple Effects on Soil from Manure from Cows Administered Antibiotics
Waterways
Waterways
Cattle have a habit of congregating around and in waterways where their hooves dislodge the soil. Over time the soil and plant roots holding it together become so damaged the soil ends up being washed away, causing significant erosion over time. Nutrient loss on land coincides with waterway pollution from livestock allowed to roam too close. - Cattle Destroy Streams
Health Risks
Health Risks
Threat to Water Security
Threat to Water Security
Africa
Africa
North America
North America
"Researchers traced water in the western US throughout the domestic supply chain. They found that crops such as alfalfa and corn used in feed were associated with a lot of unsustainable water use.
Across the western US, one third of all consumed water is used to irrigate crops that are grown to feed beef and dairy cattle. And in the Colorado River basin, the amount of water used for cows’ feed crops is more than 50 percent. Water resource officials have said that some of the reservoirs fed by the river will never be full again." - Researchers Say American Rivers Are Getting Sucked Dry by Beef Industry
Water Use
Water Use
Resources
Resources
Impacts from Manure
Impacts from Manure
Multiple Effects on Soil from Manure from Cows Administered Antibiotics "A new study found multiple effects on soils from exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics, including alteration of the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, soil respiration and elemental cycling."
Conservation Grazing & Profit
Conservation Grazing & Profit
Highland Cattle Society: Conservation and Sustainable Beef Production with Highland Cattle (PDF) "Highland cattle have some qualities over other breeds that make them ideal for sustainable farming, nature recovery and conservation management."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Rare Breeds Survival Trust "Help us conserve and promote our UK native livestock and equine breeds"
North America
North America
USA
USA
Red Wolves Coalition: Depredation Compensation Program "To be eligible for compensation, claimant must report a suspected red wolf depredation to the USFWS within 48 hours of discovering injured and/or killed animals. Use the telephone number below. Claimants should note the name of the person who took the initial report and the day and time of that report."
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