Carbon Footprints of Dairy Animals: Causes and Its Mitigation

Abstract

Greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere to a larger degree leading to “global warming”. The total quantity of gaseous emissions of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual in one year; directly or indirectly is measured in terms of 'carbon footprint'. Livestock play an important role for emission of greenhouse gases through various ways like rumen fermentation, manure and fodder production, milk, beef production etc. The demand for livestock products is increasing regularly and livestock products carry a high carbon footprint as compared to other products. Thus, in order to balance environmental concerns with the emergent global demand for dairy products along with economic feasibility to individual dairy producers there is need of emissions mitigation strategies. Proper management practices can lead to reduction in carbon footprints of livestock which in turn will help to minimize the negative effects of emissions on climate change.

Keywords: Carbon footprints, greenhouse, livestock, milk

Cite this Article

Poonam Ratwan, Ajoy Mandal, Manoj Kumar et al. Carbon Footprints of Dairy Animals: Causes and its Mitigation. Research & Reviews: Journal of Dairy Science and Technology. 2015; 4(3):    6–11p.