It doesn't take much scrutiny of methane emissions data to see the significance of agriculture as the largest component, using Höglund-Isaksson (2012) data for example we see the author has come to a figure of 324Mt CH4 net for anthropogenic sources in 2005. Of this figure 68.7Mt is calculated to come from cattle alone. Pigs were responsible for 5.6Mt and other livestock around the world 22.1Mt. Rice cultivation was responsible for 26.8Mt. This comes to a total of 123Mt before cereals production other than rice is even considered - agriculture is clearly a massive driver of anthropogenic emissions.
The following figure produced with data from the GMI (Global Methane Initiative) portrays the significance of agriculture as a whole to have risen further by 2010 - contributing almost exactly 50% of total anthropogenic methane emissions:
As ruminant animals form over half of agriculture's contribution, of which the majority comes from cattle as highlighted by Höglund-Isaksson cattle will take on the focus of the rest of the next post.
The following figure produced with data from the GMI (Global Methane Initiative) portrays the significance of agriculture as a whole to have risen further by 2010 - contributing almost exactly 50% of total anthropogenic methane emissions:
Data: GMI, Figure: SEF (Sustainable Energy Forum), available here
As ruminant animals form over half of agriculture's contribution, of which the majority comes from cattle as highlighted by Höglund-Isaksson cattle will take on the focus of the rest of the next post.
Wow! The significance of Agriculture is massive! I would have a issue about it but you could argue that fossil fuel mining and procurement is having as large of an impact and we should be focused on reducing that instead. Due to a growing population globally, reduction of agriculture is probably not the best option, but maybe cattle reduction would be best?
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