**Animal Agriculture is a major driver of biosphere degradation, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Vast areas of forests, especially in the Amazon, are cleared for grazing and livestock feed crops, accelerating carbon emissions and habitat destruction. Livestock farming produces high levels of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), potent greenhouse gases that intensify climate change.**
**Animal Agriculture depletes freshwater resources and contaminates rivers and oceans with agricultural runoff, leading to dead zones and ecosystem collapse. Overgrazing and feed crop cultivation contribute to soil degradation and desertification.**
Cowspiracy, The effects of Animal Agriculture. Netflix, 77 minutes,
***Cowspiracy:* explores the devastating impact of animal agriculture and the reluctance of major environmental organizations to address it. The documentary argues that livestock farming is the leading cause of deforestation, water depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss, yet groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club largely ignore its impact. Through interviews with scientists and industry insiders, the film highlights alarming statistics—such as claims that animal agriculture contributes up to 51% of global emissions (a figure debated by experts)—and exposes the meat and dairy industries’ influence over policy and public perception.**
**https://www.netflix.com/search?q=Cowspiracy&jbv=80033772**
**Sailesh Rao, Executive Director of [Climate Healers](<https://climatehealers.org/>), explains how emissions from animal agriculture are not being counted properly in the IPCC report, claiming that animal agriculture is, when analysed properly, responsible for 87% of climate change. This is a highly provocative assessment and a fascinating dive into Global Ag systems thinking.**
**Podcast 50 minutes.**
www.planetcritical.com/p/how-to-cool-the-planet-sailesh-rao
USA Animal Ag Industry, politics & economics , Planet Critical Podcast 54 minutes, BEWARE - towards the end the discussion of cruelty in this industry is very disturbing.
**https://www.planetcritical.com/p/animal-agriculture-exceptionalism**
**https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-critical/id1545009586?i=1000696470972**
**Climate change poses severe risks to U.S. agriculture, impacting crop yields, livestock health, and food security through rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. Studies show that wheat yields decline by 3.6% per 1°C increase, while droughts and heatwaves, like the Northwest’s 2021 crisis, have devastated crops. Soil erosion, water shortages, and the spread of pests, weeds, and diseases further threaten farm productivity, increasing reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.**
**Without aggressive mitigation and adaptation efforts, climate change will continue to challenge the sustainability and economic viability of American agriculture. To adapt, farmers are turning to climate-resilient crops, precision agriculture, and AI-driven solutions to optimize water and resource use.**
Food Security and Climate Change, article, World Bank Group
**https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/10/17/what-you-need-to-know-about-food-security-and-climate-change**
Global Climate Change Impact on Crops Expected Within 10 Years, NASA