Climate Change

Addressing the climate change impacts of animal agriculture requires a multi-faceted approach involving systemic change, advocacy, and personal choices.

Inside a cattle barn with black and white cows eating hay from a long trough on either side of a central aisle.

  • Animals raised for food need to be grown, transported, processed, and distributed – each step creating greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food, according to the United Nations.

    75% of agricultural land is devoted to the livestock industry. This includes pastures and acres devoted to raising crops for animal feed. Reducing the amount of land needed to feed smaller herds and CAPO operations would reduce chemical fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide usage; nutrient and topsoil runoff; manure management problems; water and antibiotic consumption; and desertification of pasture land. It would allow returning some land to natural habitat to benefit the other species on our planet.

    The largest amount of food-related greenhouse gases comes from agriculture and land use. This includes:

    • Methane from cattle’s digestive process

    • Nitrous oxide from fertilizers used for crop production

    • Carbon dioxide from fossil fuel usage and deforestation to expand farmland

    • Other agricultural emissions from manure management, rice cultivation, and burning of crop residues.

    A smaller share of the greenhouse gas emissions of food are caused by:

    • Refrigeration and transportation of food

    • Industrial processes such as the production of paper, plastic, and aluminum for packaging and the management of food waste.

    Animal agriculture produces the highest greenhouse gas emissions. This is partially because the production of animal protein requires extensive farmlands, which are often created by cutting down trees. Trees capture carbon dioxide through a process called carbon sequestration. However, carbon is released from storage back into the atmosphere after deforestation. Animals such as cows and sheep also emit methane as they digest grass and plants. The cattle’s waste on pastures and chemical fertilizers used on animal crops emit nitrous oxide, another powerful greenhouse gas. Shrimp farms often occupy coastal lands formerly covered in mangrove forests, which absorb huge amounts of carbon. The large carbon footprint of shrimp or prawns is mainly due to the stored carbon that is released into the atmosphere when mangroves are cut down to create shrimp farms.

  • The most well-known rainforest in the world, the Amazon, has become the victim of harmful environmental practices. The Amazon rainforest is home to nearly 10 percent of the world’s biodiversity (World Wildlife Fund). As the carbon output rate increases exponentially, large forests that store carbon, such as the Amazon, become increasingly crucial to the planet’s survival. In addition to the carbon stored within the Amazon, this rainforest is home to thousands of animal and plant species that are displaced for resources.

    Yet, since the 1960s, industries have been ravaging the Amazon. In just the last 20 years, 8% of the rainforest was destroyed, and continuous destruction damages the resilience of the Amazon, according to Sentient Media. As climate change affects the rest of the world, it also causes the Amazon to become drier and, therefore, more vulnerable to rapid wildfire spread. Although this is one obstacle for the Amazon, the bigger problem is the industries operating within the Amazon. The industries putting the Amazon in danger include, yet are not limited to cattle ranching, agriculture, logging, mining, and infrastructure.

    Although advocates for reducing destruction in the Amazon rainforest, the issue comes down to a lack of regulation by the nine countries that the Amazon spreads throughout. Illegal activity runs rampant, as no effective organization has been established to resist corporations overtaking the Amazon. In Peru specifically, “systemic failures… have allowed corporations to acquire land unlawfully, deforest without permits, disregard environmental rules, avoid fines and violate community rights,” according to Mongabay.

    The deforestation in the Amazon certainly is one of the current crises of this generation. As carbon continues to harm the atmosphere, the abundance of carbon stored in the Amazon is crucial in combating climate change. Although the situation seems bleak, advocacy efforts to increase regulation have started to make an impact, with destruction in the Amazon in 2023 down 55.8% from 2022 levels, according to Reuters. With this hope for the future, further regulations may save the Amazon.

  • Animal agriculture is one of the leading contributors to climate change, with its large carbon footprint and significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Addressing the climate change impacts of animal agriculture requires a multi-faceted approach involving personal choices, advocacy, and systemic change. Here are several practical ways you can help reduce the climate impact of animal agriculture:

    Adopt a Plant-Based Diet

    • One of the most effective ways to combat climate change caused by animal agriculture is to reduce or eliminate animal-based foods from your diet. Livestock farming (particularly cattle) produces a significant amount of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing the demand for meat can help decrease the need for industrial animal farming.

    • Opt for plant-based foods like beans, lentils, grains, vegetables, and plant-based meat substitutes. Many delicious alternatives to animal products—such as plant-based milks, cheeses, and meats—are widely available and can reduce the environmental impact of your food choices.

    • Experiment with Meatless Mondays or similar initiatives. Challenge yourself or your community to commit to one or more meat-free days a week. This can have a collective positive impact on reducing meat demand.

    Advocate for Sustainable Agricultural Practices

    • Regenerative agriculture is an approach that focuses on improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and promoting biodiversity. These farming practices can help mitigate the environmental harm caused by conventional animal agriculture.

    • Agroecological systems focus on biodiversity, ecosystem health, and minimizing the use of chemical inputs. Advocate for policies that promote sustainable farming practices, which can significantly reduce the negative environmental impacts of both plant and animal agriculture.

    • Advocate for government policies that reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. This includes supporting legislation that promotes sustainable farming, incentivizes plant-based food production, and creates subsidies for environmentally-friendly agricultural practices.

    Educate Others About the Environmental Impact of Animal Agriculture

    • Educate friends, family, and colleagues about the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Share facts, documentaries, articles, and resources on how livestock farming contributes to climate change.

    • Host or participate in educational events that focus on sustainable eating, climate change, and animal agriculture. Local workshops, talks, or social media campaigns can be powerful tools for spreading the message.

    • Use social media platforms to share facts, resources, and personal stories about the importance of reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

    Support Plant-Based Food Brands and Initiatives

    • Support plant-based food companies, such as Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and other brands that are creating alternatives to animal-based products. By supporting these companies, you're helping to shift the market towards plant-based options.

    • Buy from local farmers, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and farmers’ markets that offer sustainably grown and plant-based food options.

    • Advocate for restaurants, supermarkets, and other food service businesses to offer more plant-based, sustainable options. A strong consumer demand for plant-based products can encourage businesses to adjust their menus and product offerings.

    Reduce Food Waste

    • The food system as a whole is inefficient, with a significant amount of food—both plant-based and animal-based—wasted each year. Reducing food waste can lessen the overall environmental burden. Plan meals carefully, compost food scraps, and be mindful of portion sizes to reduce waste.

    • Donate excess food or support organizations that redistribute food to those in need, especially plant-based food. Food recovery efforts can reduce waste while also helping to address hunger and food insecurity.

    Support Plant-Based Advocacy Organizations

    • Many non-profits and advocacy groups like Ohio Animal Advocates work to reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture and promote plant-based lifestyles. These organizations often develop campaigns, research projects, and public awareness efforts to combat climate change caused by animal agriculture. Volunteering, donating, or sharing their work helps amplify their efforts.

    Advocate for Sustainable Policy and Agricultural Reform

    • A significant portion of government subsidies go to industrial animal farming, making it more affordable to produce meat and dairy at the expense of plant-based alternatives. Advocating for the redirection of subsidies toward sustainable, plant-based agriculture can help shift the food system.

    • Join campaigns and support international agreements that address climate change and promote sustainable food systems, like the Paris Agreement or sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

    Promote and Participate in Local, Sustainable Eating

    • If possible, start your own vegetable garden or participate in a community garden. Growing food locally reduces transportation emissions and minimizes the carbon footprint of your meals. Support initiatives that promote sustainable eating within your community, such as community-supported agriculture (CSA), food co-ops, or farm-to-table restaurants that prioritize plant-based and locally grown foods.

    • Engage with others in your area who are interested in sustainable food systems, climate change, and food justice. Local groups often organize workshops, meetups, and advocacy campaigns to promote sustainable eating and farming practices.

    Encourage Companies and Governments to Take Action

    • Encourage large food companies to commit to reducing their environmental impacts by offering plant-based alternatives and reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains. Many major food corporations, like Nestlé, Unilever, and Tyson Foods, are beginning to invest in plant-based products—your consumer power can help further this shift.

    • Advocate for policies at the local, state, and national levels that promote sustainable agriculture, including reducing subsidies for animal agriculture and implementing carbon pricing or emissions regulations on the agriculture sector.

    Encourage Youth Education and Leadership

    • If you work with young people—whether as a teacher, mentor, or community leader—incorporate lessons on climate change, sustainability, and the environmental impact of food choices into your curriculum or activities. Check out our Education Resources for lesson plans, activities, and other teaching tools.

    • Encourage young activists and climate leaders who are already advocating for plant-based lifestyles and environmental change. Young people have been at the forefront of fighting for climate action, and supporting their movements can help push for larger systemic change.

    The impact of animal agriculture on climate change is significant, but the good news is that you can make a difference through your everyday choices and actions. Adopting a more plant-based diet, supporting sustainable farming practices, advocating for policy reform, and educating others about the environmental harms of animal agriculture are all important ways to combat climate change. The more individuals, businesses, and governments work together to create a more sustainable food system, the closer we’ll come to addressing the climate crisis. Every action you take—no matter how small—adds up to significant change for the planet.

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