What do concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the US produce?

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, particularly methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Methane has a much greater heat-trapping ability compared to carbon dioxide, making its impact on climate change particularly concerning.

In CAFOs, large numbers of animals are kept in close quarters, which leads to considerable production of manure. The decomposition of this manure produces methane as a byproduct. Estimates indicate that CAFOs are responsible for around 20% of the methane emissions in the U.S. This highlights the environmental issue associated with these operations, linking livestock farming practices directly to global warming and climate change.

This understanding underscores the importance of addressing emissions from agriculture, particularly in the context of climate policies and sustainable farming practices.