General Welfare

Animal Agriculture Carbon Footprint and Welfare Links

Industrial animal agriculture contributes significantly to climate change, which in turn worsens welfare outcomes for wild and farmed animals through heat stress and habitat disruption.

Key Facts

Animal agriculture accounts for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions by some estimates
High-welfare pasture-based systems often have different carbon profiles than intensive operations
Heat stress in livestock from climate change is projected to cost the US livestock industry billions annually
Climate change is the primary long-term driver of wild animal habitat loss and welfare decline globally

Welfare Considerations

The link between industrial animal agriculture and climate change creates a feedback loop: intensive production emits greenhouse gases that warm the climate, which increases heat stress on both farmed and wild animals. Shifting toward lower-intensity, higher-welfare production systems has potential co-benefits for climate and animal welfare simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Reduce consumption of animal products, particularly from intensive systems, to reduce climate impact
Choose grass-fed and pasture-raised products when consuming animal foods where available
Support research into low-emissions, high-welfare farming system integration
Advocate for climate policies that include agriculture reform as a key component
Support organizations working at the intersection of climate and animal welfare advocacy