How does livestock affect the environment?

Cattle

Cows are majestic animals that have been with us for several centuries, during which we have used and continue to use them for human consumption. Nevertheless, Have you ever wondered how livestock affects the environment?

Whether the answer is affirmative or negative, then we are going to answer this interesting question.

The livestock sector seriously affect the environment. According to an FAO study entitled »Livestock Long Shadow», Produces a 9% carbon dioxide derived from human activities, a 65% nitrous oxide, 37% methane, and 64% ammonia, which contributes to acidifying the rain. These gases are the product of manure, intestinal gases and waste. The situation worsens as forests and jungles are cut down to become grasslands to feed livestock. Thus, a 30% of the Earth's surface. Only in the Amazon, considered the lung of our planet, 70% of the land is already being used by ranchers.

As regards the soil, herds degrade the land, compacting it, eroding it and making it a highly vulnerable area to desertification. In addition, the antibiotics and hormones that are given to them, as well as the fertilizers and insecticides that are used to spray cereal fields, contribute to polluting the land and atmosphere.

Cow on a farm

Intensive ranching disturbs water cycles, reducing water replenishment in the upper and inner layers of the earth. And that is a problem that is increasing as the human population grows. Keep in mind that meat and milk production represents 20% of the terrestrial biomass today; If the population continues to grow, the demand will also grow, so unless measures are taken, trees and plants will continue to be cut down, forgetting or not wanting to think that we cannot live without oxygen, but we can do so without feeding on cattle meat.


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  1.   Ana said

    how to cite this article?

  2.   valentina daza said

    what was the publication date of this article? I need to quote it.