Many people claim that cows contribute to the climate catastrophe. But simplifications are usually full of misinformation and errors. Certainly 'factory farmed' or CAFOs [confined animal feed operations] are a real problem, and these are where most of animals in the world are 'locked up'.
The animals are confined and fed mainly soy and corn that are grown off site, and hauled great distances to the "farm" [or jail some would say]. These cows fart a lot as the corn and soy cause digestion problems - increasing e-coli in the gut. Ruminants were 'made' to roam and eat grasses - not GMO grains/beans. The 'food' is sprayed with glyphosate, which causes cancer, disrupts the microbiome and also damages the microbiology of the soil Nice! See other posts for a more detailed discussion, along with references.
The 'waste' from the animals pollutes the land, water ways and leads to algae blooms and destruction of fish habitat.
To grow the soy and corn, fossil fuels are the source of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and transport which emit more carbon. But there are better ways. And when the soil is tilled, more carbon is released.
Enter 'regenerative farming'. Briefly, this system, when following 'holistic management' practices, moves the animals around the land. "Mob grazing", as bison and others naturally did/do - pulling on and chewing perennial grasses. The pulling stimulates growth and the animals' saliva, pee and pooh [excuse the technical terms] add bacteria, organic matter and nutrients to the ground. Rotating the animals before they completely devour the plants ensures the plants continuing growing.
There isn't tilling of the soil, which would release the stored carbon and disrupt the soil structure and ever important bacteria/fungi balance in the soil. The plants transport carbon to the soil through extensive root systems [some, such as alfalfa, can go down 7 meters!], nourished and stimulated by the animals. Since these plants and soil are not disturbed through tilling, the carbon is stored in the soil.
Such farms actually build soil. And this soil sequesters carbon from the atmosphere - unlike the 'conventional' farm which produces dire amounts of carbon! The soil/life is regenerated. The micro-organisms in the soil - the key to all life - multiply and "are very happy, indeed!". [I know, they told me so!]
A good example of a farm practicing regenerative farming and reducing carbon is White Oaks Pastures in Georgia, USA. Their research quantifies both the release and storage of carbon on the farm. [chart used with permission].
This system is a very viable way, not only to stop carbon emissions at site, but to reduce world emissions. It can be done now and throughout the world. No other known 'carbon capture' system can perform such a function. Most capturing presently employed is used to get more fossil fuels from the ground - which then cause more carbon - rather than actually reducing/storing carbon.
For more information about beneficial growing practices, along with some issues of growing soy for the "Impossible" burger, veganism and/or a plant based diet, see this site and also here.
