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Does 'net zero' mean zero cows?

Abstract:
A significant share of anthropogenic global warming comes from livestock production. There is debate about whether there can be any role for livestock in a climatically sustainable future; the debate is particularly heated for cows and sheep, largely due to the methane they burp out. However, short-lived gases like methane affect climate in a fundamentally different way than long-lived gases like carbon dioxide. Consequently, climate stabilization does not require zeroing-out cattle herds. But this doesn't mean we can eat our beef and have it (a tolerable climate) too-livestock still contribute to global warming. Preventing or limiting future growth in livestock-related emissions can represent a sensible part of the portfolio of responses to the climate crisis, particularly when carbon dioxide emissions are not on track to reach net zero sufficiently quickly.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1080/00963402.2024.2339068

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Biology
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-7863-1767
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Physics
Sub department:
Atmos Ocean & Planet Physics
Oxford college:
Jesus College
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-5887-1197


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/029chgv08
Grant:
205212/Z/16/Z
205212/Z/16/Z
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/001aqnf71
Grant:
NE/V013106/1


Publisher:
Taylor & Francis
Journal:
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists More from this journal
Volume:
80
Issue:
3
Pages:
153-157
Place of publication:
United States
Publication date:
2024-05-06
Acceptance date:
2024-03-29
DOI:
EISSN:
1938-3282
ISSN:
0096-3402
Pmid:
39445099


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1995349
Local pid:
pubs:1995349
Deposit date:
2024-12-10

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