How does agricultural practice contribute to climate change?

Agricultural practice contributes to climate change primarily through livestock production and fertilizer use. Livestock, especially cattle, produce significant amounts of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—during digestion through a process known as enteric fermentation. Additionally, the raising of livestock requires large amounts of feed, which often involves the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. When these fertilizers break down in soil, they release nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Furthermore, the cultivation of crops necessitating fertilizers can lead to increased emissions. The energy-intensive production of these fertilizers, as well as their application, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This combination of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock and fertilizers significantly amplifies agriculture's impact on climate change, highlighting the need for more sustainable practices within the agricultural sector.