Livestock's Contributions to Climate Change: Facts and Fiction

'Efficiencies in U.S. livestock agriculture have lowered this industry's combined greenhouse gas emissions to a historic low of about four percent of the nation's total,' said Mitloehner. 'Furthering recent advances will be paramount to satisfy a growing global demand for animal protein without depleting natural resources.' 'With Frank's expertise and years of research, I am glad he is able to provide sound, science-based information to consumers,' said AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the livestock industry accounts for 4.2 percent of the U.S. GHG emissions. Energy production and transportation are the largest contributors, together equaling more than half of the total U.S. GHG emissions.
In perspective, if Americans practiced 'Meatless Mondays' there would only be a 0.6 percent decrease in U.S. GHG emissions. However, replacing incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star bulbs would be twice as effective--1.2 percent.