Climate narratives and global food security

THE idea that eliminating cattle could mitigate climate change has gained increasing visibility in public debate. The documentary World Without Cows1 poses a provocative question: would humanity live better without farms? A balanced assessment requires the integration of climate science, food security and socioeconomic realities. “The debate should go beyond polarised narratives Food insecurity remains a persistent global challenge. Data show widespread undernutrition and food insecurity in several regions.3 In vulnerable populations, foods from animal sources contribute significantly to dietary quality and child development.3 Meanwhile, the global human population is projected to approach 10 billion by 2050, increasing pressure on food systems.4 Global surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.1°C (2011–2020 compared to the period 1850–1900).5 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are unequivocally responsible for observed warming.5 Previous FAO assessments estimated that livestock contributed about 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions when including land-use change.2 Enteric methane (CH4) is a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas. Unlike carbon dioxide (CO2), which accumulates over centuries, CH4 undergoes atmospheric breakdown. The global warming potential (GWP*) framework distinguishes between cumulative and flow pollutants and relates changes in CH4 emission rates to CO2-warming-equivalent effects.6 Under stable emission rates, CH4 does not generate continuously increasing warming, and sustained reductions can contribute to temperature stabilisation.6 Mitigation of livestock emissions remains necessary; however, considering livestock as one of the main factors influencing the climate risks oversimplifying the issue and may divert attention from the broader structural transformations needed in energy, agricultural and food systems. As the documentary emphasises, ‘Only by changing the dialogue can we change actions.’ In this context, the debate should go beyond polarised narratives. The central question is not whether cows should disappear, but how livestock systems can reduce emissions intensity, improve efficiency and support equal access to high-quality nutrition within planetary boundaries. As the docufilm states, ‘The next 30 years will not only be the most important in the history of agriculture, but the most important 30 years ever.’