We’ve all seen this “question” thrown around. It’s a smear disguised as an inquiry meant to present climate activists and climate-conscious people as trying to take jobs away from “hard working” farmers. When talking about climate issues with people, this one of the most common responses I get. But here’s the thing: I know it’s a bullshit question but I don’t how to explain why it’s a bullshit question. Any help? Thanks in advance.
Land use (and with that agriculture) has a lot to do with emissions. Imagine a forest cleared to farm palm oil. All that stored carbon is now in the atmosphere. Think about the staple crop rice emitting methane, due to the nature of water submerged fields.
If not emissions, water usage is also a big concern. Like farming water intensive crops in areas where water is sparse, just because the crop is very profitable, but maybe not very nutritious.
Also, beef & dairy - cows burp & fart A LOT of methane which is 20x more warming than carbon dioxide.
Beef and dairy isn’t farming. That’s ranching. I’m asking about farming.
I’m asking about climate action affecting farmers in general. Yes, water is a good point. My main point is that farmers are an incredibly small part of emissions, the majority come from construction, oil and gas, and ranching.
Oh, sorry I misread your first comment.
First: acriculture is a major greenhouse gas contributor, globally.
I’m not sure how they affected by climate action. I can only assume it’s a sector, where it’s very difficult to remove emissions, unlike other sectors without impacting the crop amount? Like reducing farm animals or fertilizers and machinery?
Here is a short breakdown of emissions in agriculture from “ourworldindata.org”.