livestock has become one of the human activities with the greatest environmental impact due to the use of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). According to the FAO, Livestock farming accounts for 14,5% of global GHG emissions, significantly affecting the environment. In addition, intensive livestock farming practices further aggravate these consequences, associated with the mass production of animals and the high demand for meat products.
According to a recent report by the FAO, livestock farming emits annually about 7,1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is a 15% of all emissions originate from human activitiesThe most alarming thing is that a large part of these emissions come from intensive livestock breeding and management, practices that often do not meet sustainability standards.
Main sources of emissions in livestock farming
In the article published by FAO, different phases of the livestock life cycle that generate GHG emissions were identified. These emissions derive from the Production and transportation of feed for livestock, the use of energy on farms and emissions caused by digestion y manure decompositionThe main factors are detailed below:
- Forage production and processing: This process is responsible for the 45% of emissions, mainly due to the use of chemical fertilizers to grow the food that feeds livestock.
- Enteric fermentation: The digestion of ruminant animals (cattle, specifically) is responsible for the 39% of emissions, fundamentally because they generate methane, a gas more harmful than CO2.
- Decomposition of manure: El 10% of emissions It comes directly from the process of decomposing manure, a problem that gets worse when the facilities are not adequate.
Intensive livestock farming: Environmental impacts and concerns
Intensive livestock farming It is a production system that has increased in recent decades, especially in developing countries, due to the growing demand for food of animal origin. However, this production model has been harshly criticized for its environmental impact and animal abuse which is generated in some circumstances.
In intensive livestock farming, large numbers of animals are raised in small spaces using techniques of high performance feed to accelerate their growth. In addition, they are used antibiotics and other chemicals, which generates two problems: animal abuse and a high emission of polluting waste.
Waste and pollution
One of the main challenges facing intensive livestock farming is the mass production of waste, including manure and wastewater, which are sources of air and water pollution. In particular, the excessive use of antibiotics and fertilizers pollutes the water, affecting the biodiversity of nearby aquatic ecosystems and contributing to the creation of dead zones where life is not possible.
Emissions of greenhouse gases
La enteric fermentation of ruminants generates methane, a gas that has a greenhouse effect 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. According to the IPCC, methane accounts for about 50% of GHG emissions from intensive livestock farming. In addition, the pig farming It is also a major emitter of methane, generating 76% of emissions from manure management.
Destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity
A side effect of intensive livestock farming is the deforestation, which is produced to expand land intended for pasture or fodder crops. According to the FAO, 70% of deforested lands in Latin America have been converted into grazing land and crops to feed livestock.
This loss of ecosystems has a devastating impact on the biodiversity, as many animals and plants lose their natural habitat, which endangers their survival.
Sustainable alternatives for reducing emissions
Despite the problems identified, the FAO and other organizations propose alternatives to reduce up to 30% of emissions generated by livestock farming. The following actions are highlighted as possible solutions:
- Improving manure management: Promote technologies that allow the decomposition of manure without generating emissions. For example, anaerobic digestion can generate biogas.
- Optimizing livestock feeding: Feed animals with forages that generate less enteric fermentation and reduce methane emissions.
- Waste reduction: Improve efficiency in food production and transportation to reduce resource consumption.
The implementation of these measures, together with more responsible consumption by the population, could mitigate the impact of livestock farming and contribute to a less polluted atmosphere. Adopting agroecological strategies, particularly in the use of resources and waste management, is essential to achieve climate objectives and reduce global warming.