Tom Wirth USEPA

Publish Date: April 9, 2010

Regardless of whether or not global warming is resulting from human activity, the amount of attention given to greenhouse gases (GHG) released by human activity is increasing. Major greenhouse gas initiatives, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Chicago Climate Exchange, are propelling the adoption of carbon reporting and reduction activities. Agriculture in general, and livestock production in particular, is in the middle of the discussion. In one situation, livestock producers in the U.S. are showing interest in the opportunity to be paid for capturing methane from manure storage. In another, many people cite a United Nations study which attributes animal agriculture for 18% of all GHG emissions measured in CO2 equivalents to advocate less meat consumption.