Climate Smart Livestock Production - Call for Food Security: A Review

Abstract

Climate change is no more a myth but a reality supported by scientific evidence. The rapid change in environmental green house gases post industrialization is one such indicator responsible for global warming. Atmospheric concentrations of core GHGs carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased by 43%, 154% and 21%, respectively between 1750 to 2013. Similarly global average air temperature has increased from 0.74 in 1906 to 1.2°C in 2020 and sea level by 8 inches in last century, besides increased frequency in natural hazards like floods, draughts, cloud bursts, storms, typhoons and heat waves. The changing climate has negative impacts on human life as well as on livestock. However, livestock is believed to be the main contributor of methane, an important green house gas with 21 times more global warming potential in comparison to carbon dioxide. Since human population has tremendously increased and is further expected to increase by 33% till 2050 and at the same time due to urbanization, improved incomes and increased purchasing capacity, the demand for food of animal origin is increasing. In order to have food and nutritional security the production of livestock products is a necessity. Therefore, on one hand increase in livestock production and on the other hand minimizing the GHG emissions, the livestock sector warrants climate smart livestock production which will encompass climate resilient, environmentally sustainable, economically viable production of nutritious, safe, affordable livestock food and products.