Livestock Farming, Communities, Biodiversity And Climate Change

Generated Summary

This document, prepared by Brighter Green and the Global Forest Coalition (GFC) with inputs from Biofuelwatch, examines the environmental, social, cultural, ecological, and ethical impacts of industrial livestock farming, and explores sustainable alternatives. The study employs a qualitative approach, drawing from various sources including reports, case studies, and consultations with stakeholders. The scope encompasses a global perspective, with specific examples from countries like Paraguay, Kenya, and China, analyzing the multifaceted consequences of an unsustainable livestock industry and the potential for more sustainable practices. The study argues that the industrialization of meat production has detrimental effects on climate change, biodiversity, communities, and human health. The document focuses on the exponential growth of the unsustainable industry, the role of animal feed, the impact of deforestation, and the connections between industrial livestock production and agro-fuels.

Key Findings & Statistics

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the world’s livestock sector.
• More than 60 billion animals are raised for human consumption each year.
• Meat and dairy production already uses 30 percent of Earth’s land surface and 70 percent of agricultural land.
• The livestock industry accounts for eight percent of the water humans use, mostly to irrigate feed crops.
• Some estimates project that the global production of meat will double by 2050, which could mean increasing the number of animals used each year in the food industry to 120 billion.
• Globally, agriculture is estimated to be directly responsible for 80 percent of deforestation.
• In Latin America, the growth of large-scale cattle ranching is the primary driver of forest loss.
• In Paraguay, 98 percent of the Atlantic Forest has already been lost to deforestation.
• Globally, Paraguay ranks seventh in soy production and fourth in soy exports.
• Around three million hectares (7.4 million acres) are under cultivation in Paraguay.
• Eighty percent of all crops in Paraguay are soy monocultures.
• Ninety-five percent of soy grown in Paraguay is Monsanto’s Roundup Ready variety.
• Cattle ranching has increased nearly two-fold since 1991 to 12 million head in Paraguay.
• In Kenya, the Borona pastoralists face a decline in the value of their domestic stock due to government importation of cattle.
• The Maasai in Kenya has leased 50,000 hectares of land for biodiversity and grazing purposes.
• Ten percent of the world’s plant and animal species face some degree of threat experiencing habitat loss based on livestock production.
• Of the world’s thirty-five biodiversity “hotspots,” twenty-three are affected by livestock production.
• Over 95 percent of egg-producing chickens in the U.S. are raised in battery cages.
• Globally, about 98 percent of soy meal is used as feed for farmed animals.
• Industrial agriculture also presents a significant threat to food security by absorbing massive amounts of land for the production of fodder or feed for often very badly treated animals, instead of food for human beings.

Other Important Findings

• The document highlights the impacts of industrial livestock production on climate change, emphasizing its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
• It discusses the role of animal feed, particularly soybeans and corn, in driving deforestation and environmental degradation.
• The document notes the link between industrial agriculture and the loss of biodiversity and the disruption of ecosystems.
• The expansion of industrial livestock farming leads to social and ethical issues, including the displacement of communities, animal cruelty, and the erosion of traditional ways of life.
• The study examines the synergistic relationships between agribusiness, livestock producers, and the bio-energy sector in driving the expansion of agro-fuels, and the environmental and health implications.
• The document highlights the health risks associated with high meat consumption, including increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
• It provides examples of more sustainable livestock production practices, such as community conservation and pastoralist practices of indigenous peoples, highlighting their role in preserving biodiversity and supporting livelihoods.
• The document presents various case studies illustrating the impacts of the industrial livestock sector across the world, including Argentina, the United States, Indonesia, India, Benin, Chad, Kenya, and Cameroon.

Limitations Noted in the Document

• The document does not provide specific quantitative data on the economic aspects of the livestock industry, such as the monetary value of the environmental impacts.
• The study’s reliance on existing reports and consultations may introduce biases from the original sources.
• The study acknowledges that the document does not fully address the economic and political forces driving the livestock industry, limiting the depth of the analysis.
• The focus on industrial livestock production may overshadow the diversity within livestock farming systems, potentially overlooking the nuances of smaller-scale, more sustainable practices.
• The document does not include a detailed analysis of the effectiveness of all proposed alternative solutions, such as specific policy recommendations.

Conclusion

The document concludes by emphasizing the urgent need to transition towards more sustainable food systems, highlighting the detrimental impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, communities, and human health. It emphasizes that small-scale, integrated, agro-ecological farming systems, and traditional pastoralism are essential alternatives, offering a better approach for the planet, while also sustaining social and cultural values. The study advocates for respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and peasants, supporting their production systems as a critical response to climate change. The document underscores the need to end government subsidies that support industrial-scale livestock and feed operations and highlights the importance of addressing the environmental externalities. It stresses that it will be necessary to change consumption and production patterns, urging political openness in policy-making to facilitate voices questioning intensive animal farming. The report emphasizes that the mission of the Global Forest Coalition (GFC) is to reduce poverty and avoid impoverishment of Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent peoples by advocating for their rights as a basis for forest policy and addressing the direct and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation. The examples of the impacts of the industrial livestock sector from all over the world, coupled with the insights into the struggles faced by communities and indigenous peoples in various regions, paint a grim picture of the future of Earth’s species, both human and animal. The document advocates for a shift towards small-scale, integrated, agro-ecological farming systems and traditional pastoralism as more sustainable alternatives, while recognizing the vital role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation efforts. The document promotes sustainable agriculture and pastoralism, respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and peasants, and supporting their production systems as essential responses to climate change.