1
|
Zhang X, Wang W, Wang Y, Cao Z, Yang H, Li S. Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses reveal differences in rumen microbiota between grass- and grain-fed Sanhe heifers. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1336278. [PMID: 38803375 PMCID: PMC11128563 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diets on the composition and function of rumen microbiome and metabolites in Sanhe heifers. Methods Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were performed using rumen fluid samples collected from Sanhe heifers (n = 20) with similar body weights and ages from grass-fed and grain-fed systems. Results The grain-fed group exhibited more intensive rumen fermentation than the grass-fed group. However, the grass-fed group exhibited carbohydrate metabolism and methane production higher than that of the grain-fed group; these increases were observed as a higher abundance of various bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Lentisphaerae, and Verrucomicrobia), families (Lachnospiraceae, Eubacteriaceae, and Eggerthellaceae), and the archaeal family Methanobacteriaceae. A comparison of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes, using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome profiles, revealed noteworthy differences in the functions of rumen microbiota; these differences were largely dependent on the feeding system. Conclusion These results could help manipulate and regulate feed efficiency in Sanhe cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shengli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Beijing Engineering Technology Research Center of Raw Milk Quality and Safety Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Caradus JR, Chapman DF, Rowarth JS. Improving Human Diets and Welfare through Using Herbivore-Based Foods: 2. Environmental Consequences and Mitigations. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1353. [PMID: 38731357 PMCID: PMC11083977 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal-sourced foods are important for human nutrition and health, but they can have a negative impact on the environment. These impacts can result in land use tensions associated with population growth and the loss of native forests and wetlands during agricultural expansion. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, and high water use but poor water quality outcomes can also be associated. Life cycle analysis from cradle-to-distribution has shown that novel plant-based meat alternatives can have an environmental footprint lower than that of beef finished in feedlots, but higher than for beef raised on well-managed grazed pastures. However, several technologies and practices can be used to mitigate impacts. These include ensuring that grazing occurs when feed quality is high, the use of dietary additives, breeding of animals with higher growth rates and increased fecundity, rumen microbial manipulations through the use of vaccines, soil management to reduce nitrous oxide emission, management systems to improve carbon sequestration, improved nutrient use efficacy throughout the food chain, incorporating maize silage along with grasslands, use of cover crops, low-emission composting barns, covered manure storages, and direct injection of animal slurry into soil. The technologies and systems that help mitigate or actually provide solutions to the environmental impact are under constant refinement to enable ever-more efficient production systems to allow for the provision of animal-sourced foods to an ever-increasing population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John R. Caradus
- Grasslanz Technology Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Jacqueline S. Rowarth
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Lincoln University, 85084 Ellesmere Junction Road, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ran Y, Cederberg C, Jonell M, Bergman K, De Boer IJM, Einarsson R, Karlsson J, Potter HK, Martin M, Metson GS, Nemecek T, Nicholas KA, Strand Å, Tidåker P, Van der Werf H, Vanham D, Van Zanten HHE, Verones F, Röös E. Environmental assessment of diets: overview and guidance on indicator choice. Lancet Planet Health 2024; 8:e172-e187. [PMID: 38453383 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(24)00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Comprehensive but interpretable assessment of the environmental performance of diets involves choosing a set of appropriate indicators. Current knowledge and data gaps on the origin of dietary foodstuffs restrict use of indicators relying on site-specific information. This Personal View summarises commonly used indicators for assessing the environmental performance of diets, briefly outlines their benefits and drawbacks, and provides recommendations on indicator choices for actors across multiple fields involved in activities that include the environmental assessment of diets. We then provide recommendations on indicator choices for actors across multiple fields involved in activities that use environmental assessments, such as health and nutrition experts, policy makers, decision makers, and private-sector and public-sector sustainability officers. We recommend that environmental assessment of diets should include indicators for at least the five following areas: climate change, biosphere integrity, blue water consumption, novel entities, and impacts on natural resources (especially wild fish stocks), to capture important environmental trade-offs. If more indicators can be handled in the assessment, indicators to capture impacts related to land use quantity and quality and green water consumption should be used. For ambitious assessments, indicators related to biogeochemical flows, stratospheric ozone depletion, and energy use can be added.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Ran
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Christel Cederberg
- Division of Physical Resource Theory, Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Malin Jonell
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Bergman
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Imke J M De Boer
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Rasmus Einarsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Karlsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanna Karlsson Potter
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Michael Martin
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Geneviève S Metson
- Department of Geography and Environment, Social Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Ecological and Environmental Modeling Division, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Thomas Nemecek
- Agroscope, Life Cycle Assessment Research Group, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Åsa Strand
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Tidåker
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hayo Van der Werf
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, Rennes, France
| | | | - Hannah H E Van Zanten
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen Universityand Research, Wageningen, Netherlands; Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Francesca Verones
- Industrial Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Elin Röös
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Martínez-Marín G, Schiavon S, Tagliapietra F, Cecchinato A, Toledo-Alvarado H, Bittante G. Interactions among breed, farm intensiveness and cow productivity on predicted enteric methane emissions at the population level. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2158953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Martínez-Marín
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova (Padua), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova (Padua), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Franco Tagliapietra
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova (Padua), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alessio Cecchinato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova (Padua), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Hugo Toledo-Alvarado
- Department of Genetics and Biostatistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, México
| | - Giovanni Bittante
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova (Padua), Legnaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Furtner D, Hutas G, Tan BJW, Meier R. Journey from an Enabler to a Strategic Leader: Integration of the Medical Affairs Function in ESG Initiatives and Values. Pharmaceut Med 2023; 37:405-416. [PMID: 37464231 PMCID: PMC10587287 DOI: 10.1007/s40290-023-00485-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Like most private enterprises, the pharmaceutical industry has deeply rooted environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters that challenge its long-term sustainability. Overcoming these external challenges requires collaborative and proactive steps as well as procedures guiding the adoption of ESG principles by all internal stakeholders. Environmental challenges such as climate change, and in addition the changes in society, have resulted in the need for governance addressing and coordinating efforts. The core function of medical affairs (MA) is connecting with stakeholders within a company and also between the company and external stakeholders. In this article, we describe the involvement of MA in several aspects of ESG, as a contributor, partner, and implementer. MA has a significant opportunity to emerge as a leading function involved in ESG strategies and their tactical implementation. Although the involvement of MA in the environment pillar of ESG is less, the function can implement changes relating to the conduct of meetings, clinical studies, and the digitalization of medical education via virtual platforms. Due to its patient centricity, MA is tasked to address social determinants of health to improve patients' outcomes. As a linking function within a company and with its external stakeholders, MA can provide proactive input in policy generation and enable effective governance by adherence to standards of accountability, ethics, and compliance, as well as transparency. Championing ESG is a collective responsibility that transcends any single department. It mandates a company-wide commitment. MA represents an essential pivot point in catalyzing the integration of ESG principles within industry, contributing to a healthcare ecosystem that is not merely more sustainable and ethical but also more conducive to patient health and public well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabor Hutas
- Astellas Pharma Australia Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
McAuliffe GA, Lynch J, Cain M, Buckingham S, Rees RM, Collins AL, Allen M, Pierrehumbert R, Lee MRF, Takahashi T. Are single global warming potential impact assessments adequate for carbon footprints of agri-food systems? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS : ERL [WEB SITE] 2023; 18:084014. [PMID: 37469672 PMCID: PMC10353732 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ace204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of agri-food climate-based sustainability analyses use global warming potential (GWP100) as an impact assessment, usually in isolation; however, in recent years, discussions have criticised the 'across-the-board' application of GWP100 in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), particularly of food systems which generate large amounts of methane (CH4) and considered whether reporting additional and/or alternative metrics may be more applicable to certain circumstances or research questions (e.g. Global Temperature Change Potential (GTP)). This paper reports a largescale sensitivity analysis using a pasture-based beef production system (a high producer of CH4 emissions) as an exemplar to compare various climatatic impact assessments: CO2-equivalents using GWP100 and GTP100, and 'CO2-warming-equivalents' using 'GWP Star', or GWP*. The inventory for this system was compiled using data from the UK Research and Innovation National Capability, the North Wyke Farm Platform, in Devon, SW England. LCAs can have an important bearing on: (i) policymakers' decisions; (ii) farmer management decisions; (iii) consumers' purchasing habits; and (iv) wider perceptions of whether certain activities can be considered 'sustainable' or not; it is, therefore, the responsibility of LCA practitioners and scientists to ensure that subjective decisions are tested as robustly as possible through appropriate sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. We demonstrate herein that the choice of climate impact assessment has dramatic effects on interpretation, with GWP100 and GTP100 producing substantially different results due to their different treatments of CH4 in the context of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents. Given its dynamic nature and previously proven strong correspondence with climate models, out of the three assessments covered, GWP* provides the most complete coverage of the temporal evolution of temperature change for different greenhouse gas emissions. We extend previous discussions on the limitations of static emission metrics and encourage LCA practitioners to consider due care and attention where additional information or dynamic approaches may prove superior, scientifically speaking, particularly in cases of decision support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graham A McAuliffe
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, United Kingdom
| | - John Lynch
- Nature-based Solutions Initiative, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Cain
- Cranfield University, Cranfield Environment Centre, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Buckingham
- Scotland’s Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, United Kingdom
| | - Robert M Rees
- Scotland’s Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian L Collins
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, United Kingdom
| | - Myles Allen
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael R F Lee
- Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, United Kingdom
| | - Taro Takahashi
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, United Kingdom
- University of Bristol, Bristol Veterinary School, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, AFBI, Large Park, Hillsborough, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT26 6DR, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scarborough P, Clark M, Cobiac L, Papier K, Knuppel A, Lynch J, Harrington R, Key T, Springmann M. Vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters in the UK show discrepant environmental impacts. NATURE FOOD 2023:10.1038/s43016-023-00795-w. [PMID: 37474804 PMCID: PMC10365988 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00795-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Modelled dietary scenarios often fail to reflect true dietary practice and do not account for variation in the environmental burden of food due to sourcing and production methods. Here we link dietary data from a sample of 55,504 vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters with food-level data on greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, eutrophication risk and potential biodiversity loss from a review of 570 life-cycle assessments covering more than 38,000 farms in 119 countries. Our results include the variation in food production and sourcing that is observed in the review of life-cycle assessments. All environmental indicators showed a positive association with amounts of animal-based food consumed. Dietary impacts of vegans were 25.1% (95% uncertainty interval, 15.1-37.0%) of high meat-eaters (≥100 g total meat consumed per day) for greenhouse gas emissions, 25.1% (7.1-44.5%) for land use, 46.4% (21.0-81.0%) for water use, 27.0% (19.4-40.4%) for eutrophication and 34.3% (12.0-65.3%) for biodiversity. At least 30% differences were found between low and high meat-eaters for most indicators. Despite substantial variation due to where and how food is produced, the relationship between environmental impact and animal-based food consumption is clear and should prompt the reduction of the latter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Scarborough
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK.
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre at Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Michael Clark
- Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Linda Cobiac
- Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Keren Papier
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - John Lynch
- Nature-based Solutions Initiative, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Harrington
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre at Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim Key
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lasseur R, Laurenson S, Ali M, Loh I, Mackay M. Designing profitable and climate-smart farms using virtual reality. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286723. [PMID: 37267341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pastoral farmers are searching for ways to lower the carbon emission footprint that is generated by livestock. Planting trees on the farm is currently a popular option for farmers to offset their emissions yet requires knowledge of suitable tree species and locations to plant them. This paper describes a decision-support tool aimed at helping farmers to create and visualise different planting designs while balancing the objectives of sequestering carbon and maintaining farm profitability. We take an innovative approach by combining virtual reality technology with biophysical models to create an environment where the user can actively create virtual future farm scenarios. Through the creation process, the user can simultaneously balance multiple objectives including farm aesthetics, economic returns, business and environmental ambitions, and carbon emissions (net) balance. For this proof-of-concept study, we incorporate virtual reality technology in Unreal Engine, environmental and financial data, and high-resolution spatial layers from an operational 400-hectare livestock farm in New Zealand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Remy Lasseur
- AgResearch, Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Seth Laurenson
- AgResearch, Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Mohsin Ali
- Mohsin Media Designer, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Ian Loh
- Mohsin Media Designer, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Mike Mackay
- AgResearch, Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu W, Fritz C, van Belle J, Nonhebel S. Production in peatlands: Comparing ecosystem services of different land use options following conventional farming. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162534. [PMID: 36878291 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Majority of Dutch peatlands are drained and used intensively as grasslands for dairy farming. This delivers high productivity but causes severe damage to ecosystem services supply. Peatland rewetting is the best way to reverse the damage, but high water levels do not fit with intensive dairy production. Paludiculture, defined as crop production under wet conditions, provides viable land use alternatives. However, performance of paludiculture is rarely compared to drainage-based agriculture. Here, we compared the performances of six land use options on peatland following a gradient of low, medium, and high water levels, including conventional and organic drainage-based dairy farming, low-input grasslands for grazing and mowing, and high-input paludiculture with reed and Sphagnum cultivation. For each land use option, we conducted environmental system analysis on model farm system defined by a literature based inventory analysis. The analysis used five ecosystem services as indicators of environmental impacts with a functional unit of 1-ha peat soil. Ecosystem services included biomass provisioning, climate, water, and nutrient regulation, and maintenance of habitat. Results showed that drainage-based dairy farming systems support high provisioning services but low regulation and maintenance services. Organic farming provides higher climate and nutrient regulation services than its conventional counterpart, but limited overall improvement due to the persistent drainage. Low-intensity grassland and paludiculture systems have high regulation and maintenance services value, but do not supply biomass provisioning comparable to the drainage-based systems. Without capitalizing the co-benefits of regulation and maintenance services, and accounting for the societal costs from ecosystem disservices including greenhouse gas emission and nitrogen pollution, it is not likely that the farmers will be incentivized to change the current farming system towards the wetter alternatives. Sustainable use of peatlands urges fundamental changes in land and water management along with the financial and policy support required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weier Liu
- Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Christian Fritz
- Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper van Belle
- Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
| | - Sanderine Nonhebel
- Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Del Prado A, Lynch J, Liu S, Ridoutt B, Pardo G, Mitloehner F. Animal board invited review: Opportunities and challenges in using GWP* to report the impact of ruminant livestock on global temperature change. Animal 2023; 17:100790. [PMID: 37099893 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminant livestock is a large contributor of CH4 emissions globally. Assessing how this CH4 and other greenhouse gases (GHG) from livestock contribute to anthropogenic climate change is key to understanding their role in achieving any temperature targets. The climate impacts of livestock, as well as other sectors or products/services, are generally expressed as CO2-equivalents using 100-year Global Warming Potentials (GWP100). However, the GWP100 cannot be used to translate emission pathways of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) emissions to their temperature outcomes. A key limitation of handling long- and short-lived gases in the same manner is revealed in the context of any potential temperature stabilisation goals: to achieve this outcome, emissions of long-lived gases must decline to net-zero, but this is not the case for SLCPs. A recent alternative metric, GWP* (so-called 'GWP-star'), has been proposed to overcome these concerns. GWP* allows for simple appraisals of warming over time for emission series of different GHGs that may not be obvious if using pulse-emission metrics (i.e. GWP100). In this article, we explore some of the strengths and limitations of GWP* for reporting the contribution of ruminant livestock systems to global temperature change. A number of case studies are used to illustrate the potential use of the GWP* metric to, for example, understand the current contribution of different ruminant livestock production systems to global warming, appraise how different production systems or mitigations compare (having a temporal element), and seeing how possible emission pathways driven by changes in production, emissions intensity and gas composition show different impacts over time. We suggest that for some contexts, particularly if trying to directly infer contributions to additional warming, GWP* or similar approaches can provide important insight that would not be gained from conventional GWP100 reporting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Del Prado
- Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Edificio Sede N° 1, Planta 1ª, Parque Científico de UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; Basque Foundation for Science (Ikerbasque), Bilbao, Spain.
| | - J Lynch
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - S Liu
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - B Ridoutt
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food, Clayton South, Victoria, Australia; University of the Free State, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - G Pardo
- Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Edificio Sede N° 1, Planta 1ª, Parque Científico de UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - F Mitloehner
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. Environmental advantages of coproducing beef meat in dairy systems. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:446-465. [PMID: 34463200 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1974577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Beef meat, one of the more environmentally costly animal-based foods, can be produced in two general ways, as the main product on specialised farms or as a co-product on dairy farms. In this study, two cases (a semi-confinement dairy farm (A) and a pasture-based dairy farm (B)) have been analysed by means of LCA to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the coproduction of beef meat. In both cases, purchased feed production was found to be the main cause of environmental impacts in most of the categories considered. Additionally, cow emissions to air were the main contributor for the global warming category. Comparing the two dairy systems, notably lower environmental impacts were obtained for B in 13 of the 18 categories analysed. Regarding CF, 8.10 and 8.88 kg CO2eq/kg LW were obtained for A and B, respectively. These CF values were within the wide range found in the literature for beef meat (1.2-42.6 kg CO2eq/kg LW). Beef calves and cull cows are an important output of dairy farming, so that coproduction enables milk and meat with lower CF and associated environmental impacts to be obtained. In addition, the variability of the data found in literature and the lack of LCA studies based on real data for beef meat coproduced on dairy farms evidence the importance of in-depth study of this interesting topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cusworth G, Lorimer J, Brice J, Garnett T. Green rebranding: Regenerative agriculture, future-pasts, and the naturalisation of livestock. TRANSACTIONS (INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS : 1965) 2022; 47:1009-1027. [PMID: 36618006 PMCID: PMC9796824 DOI: 10.1111/tran.12555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anxieties around the relationship between livestock agriculture and the environmental crisis are driving sustained discussions about the place of beef and dairy farming in a sustainable food system. Proposed solutions range from 'clean-cow' sustainable intensification to 'no-cow', animal free futures, both of which encourage a disruptive break with past practice. This paper reviews the alternative proposition of regenerative agriculture that naturalises beef and dairy production by invoking the past to justify future, nature-based solutions. Drawing on fieldwork in the UK, it first introduces two of the most prominent strands to this green rebranding of cattle: the naturalisation of ruminant methane emissions and the optimisation of soil carbon sequestration via the use of ruminant grazing animals. Subsequent thematic analysis outlines the three political strategies of post-pastoral storytelling, political ecological baselining and a probiotic model of bovine biopolitics that perform this naturalisation. The conclusion assesses the potential and the risks of this approach to grounding the geographies and the temporalities of agricultural transition in the Anthropocene: an epoch in which time is out of joint and natures are multiple and non-analogue, such that they provide slippery and contested grounds for political solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Cusworth
- Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, Oxford Martin SchoolUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Jeremy Brice
- Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, Oxford Martin SchoolUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Tara Garnett
- Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, Oxford Martin SchoolUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Salgado AM, Ozturk OK, Hamaker BR, Campanella OH. Matching textural properties of commercial meat and cheese products using zein as the viscoelastic agent and calcium hydroxide as the textural modifier in plant-based formulations. Food Hydrocoll 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
14
|
Sun D, Cai S, Yuan X, Zhao C, Gu J, Chen Z, Sun H. Decomposition and decoupling analysis of carbon emissions from agricultural economic growth in China's Yangtze River economic belt. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:2987-3006. [PMID: 35014007 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01163-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, carbon emissions from agricultural energy consumption (CEAEC) are fully analyzed using data from the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) between 2000 and 2017. First, generalized LMDI is adopted to decompose the drivers of CEAEC into five components. Then, the decoupling indicator and the decoupling effort indicator are constructed to quantify the decoupling degrees and examine the government's emission reduction efforts, respectively. The results show that (1) CEAEC in the YEB has shown a phased increase, reaching a peak at 1732.25104t in 2012. Except for some decreases found in Shanghai, Chongqing, and Guizhou, it is shown that all provinces' CEAEC have risen to varying degrees. In contrast, the intensity of CEAEC in the YEB has been declining since 2005. (2) The economic output effect acts as the major contributor to the growth of CEAEC, followed by the population effect. In contrast, both the energy intensity effect and the energy structure effect are the primary reasons for reductions in CEAEC. The spatial difference in CEAEC in the YEB increased significantly from 2000 to 2017. (3) There was an alternating change from decoupling to coupling and then to negative decoupling from 2000 to 2017. Based on the conclusions mentioned above, it is proposed that the formulation of low-carbon agricultural development strategies should consider the structural adjustment of agricultural energy consumption and the advancements of agricultural technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Sun
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Siqin Cai
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yuan
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Chanchan Zhao
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiarong Gu
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhisong Chen
- School of Business, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huaping Sun
- School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Marín-López D, Matamoros-Ochoa IA, Ramírez-Restrepo CA. Dinámicas de producción y emisiones modeladas de gases de efecto invernadero en sistemas regionales de producción lechera de Honduras. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA Y DE ZOOTECNIA 2022. [DOI: 10.15446/rfmvz.v69n1.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
El objetivo del estudio fue la caracterización productiva y de emisiones modeladas de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) en 61 sistemas lecheros localizados en cinco regiones de Honduras. Durante las fases inicial (FI) y final (FF), con encuestas aplicadas individualmente a los productores, se identificaron aspectos técnicos y de productividad. Variables numéricas expresadas en Microsoft Excel® permitieron, con el modelo FAO de evaluación ambiental de la ganadería global-interactivo (GLEAM-i, por sus siglas en inglés) de ciclo de vida, estimar emisiones anuales de metano (CH4), óxido nitroso (N2O) y dióxido de carbono (CO2) en cada finca. Cálculos intermedios (GEI/animal) fueron derivados de la modelización GLEAM-i en Excel®. Durante la FI las fincas conjuntamente emitieron 25.038 t CO2 equivalente (CO2-eq), mientras que dichas emisiones fueron 10,5% menores en la FF. Emisiones de GEI/animal (2,85 ± 0,08 t CO2-eq) y de GEI/kg de proteína láctea (96,91 ± 4,50 kg CO2-eq) durante la FI fueron 13 y 21% menores en la FF, respectivamente. Valores de 52,82 ± 1,64 (CH4) y 2,66 ± 0,10 (N2O) kg/animal en la FI fueron 13% y 17% menores en la FF, respectivamente. La región centro suroriente emitió la menor cantidad de CH4 (42,95 ± 2,37 kg/animal) y N2O (1,82 ± 0,15 kg/animal, mientras las regiones occidente y norte experimentaron una reducción del 27% en GEI/kg proteína láctea entre la FI y FF. Se concluyó que la metodología usada identificó los impactos productivos y medioambientales, derivados de alternativas técnicas implementadas en sistemas de producción lechera de Honduras.
Collapse
|
16
|
Smith NW, Fletcher AJ, Hill JP, McNabb WC. Modeling the Contribution of Meat to Global Nutrient Availability. Front Nutr 2022; 9:766796. [PMID: 35187029 PMCID: PMC8849209 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.766796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing global population requires increasing food and nutrient availability. Meat is recognized as a nutrient dense food, particularly notable for its high-quality protein content, B vitamin and mineral content. However, it is not known how important meat is currently in nourishing the global population. The DELTA Model was used to calculate the contribution of meat (defined as animal flesh, excluding fish and seafood) to the global availability of 29 nutrients. This model utilizes global food production and use data, coupled with data for food waste, food nutrient composition and nutrient bioavailability to calculate the total amount of each nutrient available for consumption by the global population. Around 333 million tons of meat were produced globally in 2018, 95% of which was available as food, constituting ~7% of total food mass. Meat's contribution to nutrient availability was disproportionately higher than this: meat provided 11% of global food energy availability, 29% of dietary fat and 21% of protein. For the micronutrients, meat provided high proportions of vitamins: A (24%), B1 and B2 (15% each), B5 (10%), B6 (13%), and B12 (56%). Meat also provided high proportions of several trace elements: zinc (19%), selenium (18%), iron (13%), phosphorous (11%), and copper (10%). Meat is a poor contributor to fiber, magnesium and vitamins C and E. Meat was responsible for 16% (cystine) to 32% (lysine) of global availability of the bioavailable indispensable amino acids included in the model, due partly to the high digestibility of these nutrients from meat (83–100%). Of the total meat mass available as food in 2018, 23% was ruminant meat, 34% poultry meat, 32% pig meat, 2% other meat, and 9% offal and fats. The disproportionate contribution of meat to the global availability of nutrients emphasizes its important place in delivering nutrition to the current global population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick W. Smith
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Nick W. Smith
| | - Andrew J. Fletcher
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Jeremy P. Hill
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Warren C. McNabb
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Capper JL, De Carvalho TB, Hancock AS, Sá Filho OG, Odeyemi I, Bartram DJ. Modeling the effects of steroid implant use on the environmental and economic sustainability of Brazilian beef production. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab144. [PMID: 34632312 PMCID: PMC8494015 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith L Capper
- Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0HH, UK
| | - Thiago B De Carvalho
- Unesp, Paulista State University, Universitaria Avenue, 3780 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrew S Hancock
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ocilon G Sá Filho
- Zoetis, Rua Chucri Zaidan, 1240 Edifício Morumbi Corporate, Diamond Tower, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isaac Odeyemi
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Bartram
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Angerer V, Sabia E, König von Borstel U, Gauly M. Environmental and biodiversity effects of different beef production systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112523. [PMID: 33839605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural livestock production ranks among the most environmental impactful industry sectors at the global level, and within the livestock sector, beef production accounts for a large proportion of environmental damage. Beef production in Alpine mountain regions, such as in South Tyrol (Italy), is a small, but increasing agricultural sector. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the environmental impact of different organic and conventional beef production systems in South Tyrol and to compare their environmental impact and effect on biodiversity under Alpine production conditions. Live cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used and 1 kg of live weight (LW) was chosen as functional unit (FU). Global warming potential (GWP, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq), eutrophication potential (EP, g PO4-eq), non-renewable energy use (NRE, MJ-eq), land occupation (LO, m2 organic land/year) and biodiversity damage potential (BDP) expressed in potential disappeared fraction (PDF) were investigated. The study involved 18 beef cattle farms in the South Tyrolean region: Conventional calf-fattening farms (CCF = 6), organic suckler cow farms (SCF = 6), and conventional heifer/ox fattening farms (HOF = 6). The CCF system showed a higher environmental impact compared to SCF and HOF systems for all impact categories (P < 0.05). Between the organic and the conventional system (SCF and HOF), no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for most of the considered impact categories (means ± SEM per FU): GWP: 19.8 vs 17.1 ± 4.2 kg CO2-eq, AP: 11.4 vs 9.3 ± 4.7 g SO2-eq, EP: 4.1 vs 2.8 ± 1.2, NRE: 21.9 vs 13.8 ± 7 MJ-eq, SCF and HOF respectively. Only for LO (70.8 vs 44.1 ± 17.7 m2 organic/y, P < 0.01, SCF and HOF respectively) and the effect on BDP (-1.93 vs -0.85 ± 0.35, PDF, P < 0.01, SCF and HOF respectively) differences between organic and conventional production methods could be revealed. The study showed that beef cattle husbandry in the Alpine area has a satisfactory environmental performance. In particular, the systems studied showed a positive impact in terms of biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Angerer
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| | - Emilio Sabia
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano, 39100, Italy.
| | - Uta König von Borstel
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Leihgesterner Weg 52, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Iyer HS, DeVille NV, Stoddard O, Cole J, Myers SS, Li H, Elliott EG, Jimenez MP, James P, Golden CD. Sustaining planetary health through systems thinking: Public health's critical role. SSM Popul Health 2021; 15:100844. [PMID: 34179331 PMCID: PMC8213960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding and responding to adverse human health impacts of global environmental change will be a major priority of 21st century public health professionals. The emerging field of planetary health aims to face this challenge by studying and promoting policies that protect the health of humans and of the Earth's natural systems that support them. Public health, drawing on its experience of guiding policies to improve population health, has contributed to planetary health's development. Yet, few public health practitioners are familiar with planetary health's systems-oriented approaches for understanding relationships between economic development, environmental degradation, and human health. In this narrative review, we present key planetary health concepts and show how systems thinking has guided its development. We discuss historical approaches to studying impacts of economic development on human health and the environment. We then review novel conceptual frameworks adopted by planetary health scientists to study and forecast impacts of policies that influence human health and Earth's natural systems at varying spatiotemporal scales. We conclude by presenting examples of how applying the "Doughnut" model (an economic framework where the needs of people are met without overshooting the world's ecological limits) could guide policies for promoting health co-benefits to humans and natural systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hari S. Iyer
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Corresponding author. Division of Population Sciences Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA.
| | - Nicole V. DeVille
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Olivia Stoddard
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Jennifer Cole
- Geography Department, Royal Holloway University of London and Royal United Services Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel S. Myers
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Huichu Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Elise G. Elliott
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Marcia P. Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Peter James
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Christopher D. Golden
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jia C, Bai Y, Liu J, Cai W, Liu L, He Y, Song J. Metabolic Regulations by lncRNA, miRNA, and ceRNA Under Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Regimens in Angus Beef Cattle. Front Genet 2021; 12:579393. [PMID: 33747033 PMCID: PMC7969984 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.579393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Beef cattle raised under grass-fed and grain-fed have many differences, including metabolic efficiency and meat quality. To investigate these two regimens' intrinsic influence on beef cattle, we used high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics analyses to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolimic networks in the liver. A total of 200 DEGs, 76 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and two differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were detected between regimen groups. Metabolic processes and pathways enriched functional genes including target genes of miRNAs and lncRNAs. We found that many genes were involved in energy, retinol and cholesterol metabolism, and bile acid synthesis. Combined with metabolites such as low glucose concentration, high cholesterol concentration, and increased primary bile acid concentration, these genes were mainly responsible for lowering intramuscular fat, low cholesterol, and yellow meat in grass-fed cattle. Additionally, we identified two lncRNAs and eight DEGs as potential competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to bind miRNAs by the interaction network analysis. These results revealed that the effects of two feeding regimens on beef cattle were mainly induced by gene expression changes in metabolic pathways mediated via lncRNAs, miRNAs, and ceRNAs, and contents of metabolites in the liver. It may provide a clue on feeding regimens inducing the metabolic regulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cunling Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Ying Bai
- Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Jianan Liu
- Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Wentao Cai
- Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.,Research Centre for Animal Genome, Agricultural Genome Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanghua He
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, HI, United States
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lynch J, Cain M, Frame D, Pierrehumbert R. Agriculture's Contribution to Climate Change and Role in Mitigation Is Distinct From Predominantly Fossil CO 2-Emitting Sectors. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021; 4:518039. [PMID: 33644695 PMCID: PMC7116829 DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.518039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Agriculture is a significant contributor to anthropogenic global warming, and reducing agricultural emissions—largely methane and nitrous oxide—could play a significant role in climate change mitigation. However, there are important differences between carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a stock pollutant, and methane (CH4), which is predominantly a flow pollutant. These dynamics mean that conventional reporting of aggregated CO2-equivalent emission rates is highly ambiguous and does not straightforwardly reflect historical or anticipated contributions to global temperature change. As a result, the roles and responsibilities of different sectors emitting different gases are similarly obscured by the common means of communicating emission reduction scenarios using CO2-equivalence. We argue for a shift in how we report agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and think about their mitigation to better reflect the distinct roles of different greenhouse gases. Policy-makers, stakeholders, and society at large should also be reminded that the role of agriculture in climate mitigation is a much broader topic than climate science alone can inform, including considerations of economic and technical feasibility, preferences for food supply and land-use, and notions of fairness and justice. A more nuanced perspective on the impacts of different emissions could aid these conversations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Lynch
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Cain
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Informatics, Cran field University Cran field, United Kingdom
| | - David Frame
- New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Clark MA, Domingo NGG, Colgan K, Thakrar SK, Tilman D, Lynch J, Azevedo IL, Hill JD. Global food system emissions could preclude achieving the 1.5° and 2°C climate change targets. Science 2020; 370:705-708. [PMID: 33154139 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba7357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Paris Agreement's goal of limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5° or 2°C above preindustrial levels requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Although reducing emissions from fossil fuels is essential for meeting this goal, other sources of emissions may also preclude its attainment. We show that even if fossil fuel emissions were immediately halted, current trends in global food systems would prevent the achievement of the 1.5°C target and, by the end of the century, threaten the achievement of the 2°C target. Meeting the 1.5°C target requires rapid and ambitious changes to food systems as well as to all nonfood sectors. The 2°C target could be achieved with less-ambitious changes to food systems, but only if fossil fuel and other nonfood emissions are eliminated soon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Clark
- Oxford Martin School and Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Nina G G Domingo
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Kimberly Colgan
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Sumil K Thakrar
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - David Tilman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.,Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - John Lynch
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Inês L Azevedo
- Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jason D Hill
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
van Vliet S, Kronberg SL, Provenza FD. Plant-Based Meats, Human Health, and Climate Change. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
|
24
|
Beausang C, McDonnell K, Murphy F. Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter - A consequential life cycle assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 735:139494. [PMID: 32480151 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Concentrated land spreading of poultry litter has the potential to cause nutrient build-up in soils, eutrophication of water bodies, air pollution and the spread of pathogens. As a result, alternative routes for the disposal of poultry litter are being sought. A consequential life cycle assessment was conducted to examine several scenarios where biogas produced from poultry litter is used to generate heat and electricity or is upgraded to biomethane which can substitute natural gas. For all of the scenarios considered in this study, diverting poultry litter to anaerobic digestion leads to reduced environmental impacts for global warming, fine particulate matter formation and terrestrial acidification. However, the extent to which environmental impacts are reduced varies significantly across the scenarios. Displaced processes including electricity or natural gas, peat moss production and avoided land spreading of litter contribute the most to reducing environmental impacts. Consequential life cycle assessment is a suitable tool to inform decision-makers about the impact of introducing a new multifunctional technology like anaerobic digestion when considering the systems which are displaced. The results show the range of potential environmental outcomes, rather than predicting a single most-likely outcome. The results of this study indicate that anaerobic digestion is a suitable disposal route for poultry litter which may lead to reduced environmental impacts. This type of analysis is recommended when considering alternative feedstocks and valorisation pathways in the circular economy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ciara Beausang
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Kevin McDonnell
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala Murphy
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
The environmental impact of livestock production has become an important and controversial global issue, pri- marily due to reported impacts on global warming. This concern applies to all meat animals, but especially beef cattle due to their emission of enteric methane. Livestock production contributes to global warming, but the importance of its contri- bution may be overstated. Its effect on climate is primarily through methane production, which does not have a long-term effect on the atmosphere. Global livestock numbers and emissions from their manure are increasing, so there is a short-term effect through increased rate of emission. Other effects of meat production may be of more concern for long-term sustain- ability. Through a full life cycle of meat, the dominant impact is loss and waste, which adversely effects all measures of sustainability. An important environmental concern is reactive nitrogen losses, among which ammonia emission from manure is of most concern. Global estimates suggest that 63% of all ammonia emissions come from agriculture, with 44% of the total from livestock manure. Ammonia emissions have adverse effects related to acidification of ecosystems, eutrophication of surface waters, and human toxicity through formation of small particulate matter in the air we breathe. Water consumption is another important concern. Global estimates suggest that agriculture uses about 70% of freshwater withdrawals, with 20% used for livestock feed production. Although livestock production is not a large energy consumer, fossil fuels are a limited resource, and conservation is important. Many technologies and strategies exist for mitigating environmental impacts of livestock production, but finding economical solutions is challenging. Mitigation must start with the reduction of consumer waste. Other livestock impacts are best reduced using intensive practices to produce animals in less time and with fewer resources. Diets that accurately meet animal nutrient needs are an important mitigation option for efficient and sustainable meat production.
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
In the past few decades, several negative aspects of excess meat consumption have been identified, ranging broadly from health to environment to consumer rejections of meat analogs. At the same time, however, several new meat alternatives have emerged such as algae, insects, and cultured meat, which all present a sustainable option to reduce meat consumption. The paper assesses the psychology of the “everyday” for meat-free products, focusing on how consumers in two specific markets in the USA (California, New York) respond to messages about four specific topics involving meat-free products. These four are sensory characteristics, possible usage in products, health aspects, and environmental aspects, respectively. Each study with 100 or more respondents used experimental design of messages (Mind Genomics) to understand the degree to which the respondents reacted positively or negatively to the 16 messages in each of the four studies. The data suggest that focusing on the Total Panel or on geography, gender, or age will not reveal the dramatically different mind-sets existing in each of the four topics. We introduce the notion of the PVI, personal viewpoint identifier, to help the researcher uncover these mind-sets, and help communicate effectively with each mind-set about meat analogs or help recruit these individuals to participate in further studies.
Collapse
|
27
|
Exploring the landscape of livestock 'Facts'. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 25:100329. [PMID: 32566469 PMCID: PMC7299074 DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2019.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The role of livestock in supporting human well-being is contentious, with different perceptions leading to polarised opinions. There is increasing concern about the health and environmental impacts of a high rate of consumption of livestock products in high-income countries. These concerns are heightened by an increase in consumption in middle-income countries. On the other hand, livestock support the livelihoods of many people, particularly in low income countries. The benefits of livestock for poor livestock keepers are multiple, including the important role livestock play in supporting crop production in mixed systems, in supplying nutrients and income, and in fulfilling cultural roles. In addition livestock can provide resilience against economic and climate shocks. In view of these apparent positive and negative impacts, the role of livestock in human wellbeing is highly contested, with arguments 'for' or 'against' sometimes distorted by vested interests or misinterpretation of evidence. The Livestock Fact Check project, undertaken by the Livestock Data for Decisions community of practice, has investigated several ideas concerning livestock commonly taken as 'fact'. By exploring the provenance of these 'facts' we highlight their importance and the risks of both misinterpreting them or using them out of context. Despite the diversity of the livestock sector resulting in equally diverse viewpoints, the project calls for participants in the livestock discourse to adopt a nuanced appreciation of global livestock systems. Judgement of livestock's role in global sustainable diets should be based on clear and well-interpreted information.
Collapse
|
28
|
Lynch J, Pierrehumbert R. Climate impacts of cultured meat and beef cattle. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2019; 3. [PMID: 31535087 DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2019.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Improved greenhouse gas (GHG) emission efficiency of production has been proposed as one of the biggest potential advantages of cultured meat over conventional livestock production systems. Comparisons with beef are typically highlighted, as it is a highly emissions intensive food product. In this study we present a more rigorous comparison of the potential climate impacts of cultured meat and cattle production than has previously been made. Warming impacts are evaluated using a simple climate model that simulates the different behaviours of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), rather than relying on carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) metrics. We compare the temperature impact of beef cattle and cultured meat production at all times to 1000 years in the future, using four synthetic meat GHG footprints currently available in the literature and three different beef production systems studied in an earlier climate modelling paper. Cattle systems are associated with the production of all three GHGs above, including significant emissions of CH4, while cultured meat emissions are almost entirely CO2 from energy generation. Under continuous high global consumption, cultured meat results in less warming than cattle initially, but this gap narrows in the long term and in some cases cattle production causes far less warming, as CH4 emissions do not accumulate, unlike CO2. We then model a decline in meat consumption to more sustainable levels following high consumption, and show that although cattle systems generally result in greater peak warming than cultured meat, the warming effect declines and stabilises under the new emission rates of cattle systems, while the CO2 based warming from cultured meat persists and accumulates even under reduced consumption, again overtaking cattle production in some scenarios. We conclude that cultured meat is not prima facie climatically superior to cattle production; its relative impact instead depends on the availability of decarbonised energy generation and the specific production systems that are realised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Lynch
- Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond Pierrehumbert
- Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|