Abandoning animal husbandry will not save the environment - Australian scientists

The researchers were investigating whether moving away from pastoralism is indeed a solution to the problem of emissions and has the potential to reduce emissions. As part of the project, scientists compared emissions from animals in the savannah (Serengeti region of Tanzania), which is dominated by wild herbivores, with emissions from adjacent areas that have similar ecological characteristics but are used for raising cattle.

it turned out that the obtained indicators do not have significant differences. In this regard, scientists raise the question of the appropriateness of classifying emissions from cattle as "anthropogenic factors". They argue that where livestock occupies an area that would otherwise be occupied by wild herbivores, the emissions produced should be attributed to the ecosphere and not be considered a factor of anthropogenic influence.

Currently, more than 100 countries are participating in the UN program to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These obligations include the abandonment of livestock grazing on large pastures and the "restoration of wildlife" in these areas.

However, according to the publication, a growing body of research shows that moving away from controlled use of pastures by livestock farmers will not lead to a significant reduction in total direct greenhouse gas emissions from animals. This is due to the fact that with a high degree of probability this niche will be occupied by wild herbivores, which produce as much or even more methane than farm animals.