Raising enormous numbers of land animals for food—67.5 billion globally in 2008—causes significant emissions of three of the most important climate-changing gases, disrupting weather, temperature, and ecosystem health.
Animal agriculture generates approximately 18 percent of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, according to a 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, including about 37 percent of global methane emissions and 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions, which have over 20 and 300 times the global warming power of carbon dioxide, respectively.
Practically every stage of meat, egg, and dairy production contributes to the climate crisis by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
HSI promotes transition away from industrial farm animal production to more sustainable—and welfare-friendly—forms of agriculture, as well as a reduction in the number of animals raised for food. You can help by adopting a diet that is more friendly to animals and the environment.
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Impact
HSI works to address climate change and other issues related to the environment and animal agriculture. Learn more in our report, "The Impact of Animal Agriculture on the Environment and Climate Change in Brazil."
Learn MoreNews
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December 12, 2011
UN Climate Conference Ends with Promising Agreement Towards Improved Food Security and Sustainable, More Humane Agriculture
The Kyoto Protocol survived the United Nations’ climate change conference (COP 17/CMP 7) in Durban, which ended by also opening the door to major advances toward increased food security and more animal welfare-friendly, equitable, and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems.
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December 12, 2011
Conferencia de la ONU sobre el Clima Finaliza con Prometedor Acuerdo para una Seguridad Alimentaria Mejorada y una Agricultura Sustentable Más Humanitaria
Perdura el Protocolo de Kioto después la conferencia de la ONU sobre cambio climático (COP 17/CMP 17 por sus siglas en ingles), cumbre que finalizó abriendo la oportunidad para que se lleven a cabo grandes avances hacia la seguridad alimenticia y sistemas agropecuarios que son conscientes del bienestar animal, equitativos, y sustentables.
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November 28, 2011
HSI: Líderes Políticos Deben Abordar el Rol de la Industria Pecuaria en el Calentamiento Global Durante Conferencia de la ONU
HSI cree que los resultados de la conferencia COP17 deben incluir políticas para reducir las emisiones de efecto invernadero del sector pecuario.
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November 28, 2011
HSI: Policymakers Must Address Animal Agriculture’s Role in Global Warming at UN Conference
HSI advocated at COP17 that conference outcomes should include policies to reduce the animal agriculture sector’s greenhouse gas emissions.