Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Farm Systems - Facts about Cows and Climate Change

The carbon footprint of food production is under discussion at the regional, national, and international levels. For example, some European fastfood chains now offer information to their customers including not only nutritional facts, but also the carbon footprint of its tofu-, turkey-, or beef burgers. Furthermore, in the recent past, resolutions were passed to encourage a Meatless Monday or "Veg Day" at restaurants, schools, and grocery stores in an effort to promote a "green diet". While some scientists (especially in agriculture) remain climate change skeptics, it should be clear to everyone that animal agriculture is in midst of a considerable societal debate with far-reaching consequences.