Abstract
This study attempts to uncover the local social and demographic characteristics of countries that generate smaller and larger GHG from livestock production. The study employed the descriptive design utilizing data from the internet. Using statistical software (Minitab), the histogram of the observation was determined. If the histogram obeys fractal distribution, the countries with lower methane gas were analyzed. The countries with the least amount of methane gas emission were noted to have two main characteristics, namely: (1) livestock production in these countries are minimal or non-existent, (2) the economies of these States are not based on agriculture or animal production. Countries with the highest contribution of methane gas in the atmosphere, generally have, the large animal production as industries. Moreover, they also possess some or all of the following characteristics: (1) they are located in temperate zones with the exception of Myanmar and Vietnam; (2) some of these counties have poor manure management and utilization, (3) high livestock population, (4) most of these countries belong to well-developed countries which there practices in livestock farming are more on mechanization. The study concludes that high methane gas emission from animal manure can be attributed to high livestock and animal production activities in the various countries, and population pressure. Conversely, small
Generated Summary
This study investigates the local social and demographic characteristics of countries that generate varying levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production. The research employed a descriptive design, utilizing data gathered from the internet. The primary method involved using statistical software (Minitab) to analyze the histogram of observations and determine the distribution patterns. The analysis focused on countries with lower methane gas emissions, seeking to identify common characteristics. Furthermore, the study examined countries with the highest methane gas contribution in the atmosphere, exploring their livestock production practices. The goal was to understand the factors contributing to methane gas emissions from animal agriculture. The study aimed to uncover the local social and demographic characteristics of countries that generate smaller and larger GHG from livestock production. The study employed the descriptive design utilizing data from the internet. Using statistical software (Minitab), the histogram of the observation was determined. If the histogram obeys fractal distribution, the countries with lower methane gas were analyzed.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Global meat production is anticipated to more than double from 229 million tonnes in 1999/2001 to 465 million tonnes in 2050, while milk production is set to reach from 580 to 1043 million tonnes.
- The livestock sector contributes to 9% of carbon dioxide produced from human-related activities.
- Livestock produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2.
- 37 percent of all human-induced methane (23 times as warming as CO2) is largely formed by the digestive system of ruminants.
- 64 percent of ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain, comes from livestock production.
- Thirty percent of the earth’s total land surface is now used for livestock farming.
- Livestock farming provides employments to about 1.3 billion people and adds about 40 percent to global agricultural production.
- The study examines methane gas production (kilotonne) by country. Examples include:
- Tokelau: 0.02
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 0.04
- Nauru: 0.06
- Cayman Island: 0.24
- Niue: 0.24
- Guam: 0.27
- Kiribati: 0.28
- Tuvalu: 0.29
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: 0.3
- American Samoa: 0.38
- Seychelles: 0.82
- Cook Island: 0.9
- Micronesia (Federated States of): 1.29
- Wallis and Futuna Islands: 1.42
- Bermuda: 1.81
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: 1.84
- Sao Tome and Principe: 2.69
- Greenland: 3.33
- Bahamas: 3.5
- Netherlands Antilles: 3.99
- The methane gas emissions data shows a wide range across countries, with Brazil at 263542.61 and India at 307753.28.
- The study notes the first 177 observations out of 216 countries already behave like an exponentially distributed random variable with mean 162.9 or a rate parameter of 0.0061387 producing a fractal dimension of 1.0061387.
- The countries with the least methane gas emission are characterized by minimal livestock production or economies not based on animal agriculture.
- Countries with the highest methane gas emission, which possess large animal production industries, also have characteristics like temperate zones, poor manure management, high livestock population, and are well-developed countries with mechanized farming practices.
- The study presents the methane gas production (in Kilotonne) for several countries. Some notable examples include:
- Myanmar: 2845.53
- Poland: 3114.36
- Viet Nam: 3193.62
- Australia: 3691.19
- Netherlands: 3705.24
- United Kingdom: 3778.87
- Ukraine: 3836.08
- Japan: 4163.94
- Canada: 4871.82
- Italy: 4953.01
- Brazil: 6123.19
- Pakistan: 6275.58
- Spain: 6620.68
- France: 7372.31
- Germany: 7738.50
- Russian Federation: 9013.14
- India: 26042.02
- China, Mainland: 26987.81
- China: 27291.06
- United States of America: 36297.13
Other Important Findings
- Countries with lower methane emissions often have minimal or non-existent livestock production and economies not reliant on animal agriculture.
- Countries with high methane emissions are often located in temperate zones, have poor manure management, high livestock populations, and are well-developed with mechanized farming.
- The use of biogas or methane digesters on farms can reduce fossil fuel use and decrease methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
- High methane emissions in industrialized countries are linked to high levels of animal production to support meat consumption.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The study’s reliance on data from the internet may introduce variability in data quality and reliability.
- The descriptive design may not establish causal relationships between livestock production and methane emissions.
- The study’s scope is limited to the data available on the internet.
- The analysis of methane gas emissions is based on the data of the European Environment Agency
Conclusion
The study concludes that high methane gas emission from animal manure can be attributed to high livestock and animal production activities and population pressure. Conversely, low methane gas emissions are associated with low livestock and animal production activities. The research emphasizes the importance of considering both livestock production practices and the environmental context, particularly climate, when analyzing methane emissions. Countries in temperate climates with large-scale animal production are expected to contribute significantly to GHG accumulation in the atmosphere. The study suggests that using methane gas extracted from animal manures as a possible alternative energy source can be adopted by states for a sustainable animal livestock industry in the future. The findings suggest a clear link between the scale of livestock production, population density, and methane emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of animal agriculture. The utilization of farm manure can minimize the pollution in the environment, especially in the atmosphere. The energy can be replaced with methane gas emitted from animal manure by converting it into biogas. The use of biogas or methane digesters on farms not only serves as a source of energy for the farm, thereby reducing the amount of fossil fuels, but also allows in decreasing methane, CH4, nitrous oxide deposited in the atmosphere. When manure is deposited in a digester, it is protected to prevent considerable odor escaped through the atmosphere.