Question

Which detail best explains why reducing the number of livestock will reduce greenhouse emissions?

a) Greenhouse gases are major culprits in global warming, with 60 percent of these emissions being directly linked to human activities.
b) Now we are dealing with the problems caused by greenhouse gases.
c) A single herd of cattle produces a lot of manure and methane gas.
d) Animals produce methane gas when they digest their food.

Answer 1

Reducing the number of livestock reduces greenhouse emissions primarily because livestock, such as cattle, produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during digestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The detail that best explains why reducing the number of livestock will reduce greenhouse emissions is option c) 'A single herd of cattle produces a lot of manure and methane gas.' This is because livestock, such as cattle, produce significant amounts of methane during their digestive process, known as enteric fermentation. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential much higher than that of carbon dioxide.

Reducing the number of livestock can help in lowering the amount of methane released into the atmosphere, which in turn can help mitigate global warming. Livestock also contribute to deforestation, as forests are cleared for pastures, thereby reducing the area of land available for carbon sequestration. Hence, more livestock means more greenhouse gas emissions due to both their digestive processes and the impact of land-use changes associated with livestock farming.