Cattle, Land Use, and Climate Roundup

During my normal browsing of various environmental news today, I noticed an unusual number of stories dealing with the role of relatively “nontraditional” emissions sources. The raising and feeding of cattle, as well as how we use and abuse land, all popped up more than a couple times. Perhaps these issues are edging their way into the debate on how to curb emissions?

“Greening the Herds: A new diet to cap gas” from the New York Times discusses how grass-fed cattle emit less methane during digestive processes than grain-fed cattle. Grass contains more Omega-3 acids than grain, which allows the digestive process to go more smoothly. Grass-fed cows even produce more milk. Researchers, such as those from Stonyfield Farms (the eco-yogurt mavens) are attempting to replicate the Omega-3 benefits of grass by heating flax seed, although the technology is still young and expensive.

Worldwatch Institute also put out a new report today entited “Mitigating Climate Change Through Food and Land Use” that pushes for more attention on soil carbon sinks. The authors recommend climate-friendly agricultural practices like farming with perennials that can absorb carbon over time, minimizing soil tillage, and (you guessed it) improving methane management in livestock. Are you seeing a trend yet?

Meanwhile, ClimateBiz guest blogger Noam Ross explains why the all-mighty Ethanol Debate isn’t helping anyone. Nothing is being accomplished by environmentalists trying to penalize ethanol for land use emissions, while pro-ethanol groups complain it isn’t their fault. Instead of shifting the blame, far sighted advocates on both sides should be working toward comprehensive land use improvement programs that would prevent destruction of carbon sinks in order to grow biomass for ethanol.

Incidentally, this plays into yet another hot button issue: reducing deforestation, and it’s role in international climate policy. Both pro- and anti-ethanol groups can hold hands and sing kumbaya over saving trees, right? Here’s a great (if lengthy) summary of the increasing role that REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is beginning to play in the climate policy arena: Rainforests Win Big in new U.S. Climate Bill.