How the livestock methane conversation has evolved with Frank Mitloehner UC Davis
Description
Depending on who you speak with cattle can be vital to the sustainability of our food systems and our ability to provide health nutrition to humanity or they can be one of the largest sources of climate pollution. The culprit in this debate is methane, especially enteric methane emissions that is derived from the foregut of all ruminants including cattle.
Frank Mitloehner is the Director of the UC Davis Clear Center that researches the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment and leads communication efforts across the complex interactions between the environmental health, human health, our food systems, and livestock. Frank’s work has significantly focused on methane emissions. I recently caught up with Frank to hear his perspective on how the conversation around methane has evolved, including the increasingly passionate positions on the role of ruminants in our food systems that are being advocated by different groups focused on addressing climate change.
It is widely accepted that reducing methane emissions is the emergency brake when it comes to mitigating warming, with a reduction of methane by 20, 30, or 40% having a significant impact due to the high warming potential of methane and it's rapid natural breakdown in the atmosphere. Where there is much more disagreement among those advocating for methane reduction is which sectors to target most urgently for methane reductions with oil and gas, waste, livestock, and domestic leaks being the most frequently discussed. Where there is no disagreement is the need for increased funding on research and innovations to reduce livestock methane.
United States
