The Environmental Impact of Animal Agriculture

To analysis efficacy of the energy policies on animal agriculture formulated by environmental protection agencies across European Union

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background studies

In recent past, fight for environment protection and conservation has intensified following knowledge and awareness campaigns against greenhouse effects emanating particularly fossil fuels fumes from industrial and transportation industries. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report revealed significant influence of animal agriculture to the global warming indicating that raising livestock for milk, eggs, and milk contributes more than 14% of the greenhouse gas globally. This revelation showed that animal agriculture industry rivals emissions from fossils fuels by transportation industry that includes airplanes, cars, trucks, and trains. In addition to being the second leading emitter of greenhouse gases, animal agriculture has been linked to leading causes of water pollution, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. The animal agriculture industry requires as core element in production whether directly s fuel or electricity for operating equipment and machinery, lighting of the farms, heating or cooling the shelters, or indirectly in the form of chemicals and fertilizers used or produced off the farm.

Research problem and justification

Despite increasing negative concerns and controversial approaches integrated by food industry, it continues to show a positive growth rate globally with little signs of slowing down. Numerous studies have argued that instead of fighting its growth the focus should be on managing its effect on human health and importantly environment. Building on this, this investigating study will be rooted on energy production and usage in the field, human health risks, energy requirement, efficiency of the animal agriculture, and environment harm associated with animal agriculture. Globally, energy management and the effect of greenhouse gases is apparent, as suggested by scholars, without elaborate mitigation plan the impact will continue to be felt.

Aim of research

This research focuses on examining effectiveness of policies formulated and implemented within European zone in preventing environmental harm associated to animal agriculture efficacy. As such, it aims to investigate the energy policies formulate such as whether adopting sustainable animal agriculture approaches ultimately addresses the environmental harm associated with the field especially related to energy mismanagement and greenhouse gases

Objective

1. To critically review existing studies on climate change, sustainable animal agriculture, energy policies, and cause and mitigation of environmental harm.
2. To evaluate animal agriculture approaches and techniques in relation to environmental protection, energy management and efficiency, and sustainable animal agriculture .
3. To examine ways in which adopting sustainable animal agriculture aids in mitigating greenhouse effects from the sector
4. To critically analyse data collected and formulate recommendation on environmental harm from animal agriculture.

Chapter 2: Literature review

Climate change and greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Sources of agricultural GHGs

Sustainable animal agriculture

Energy policies related to animal agriculture

Mitigating of GHGs through:

Production efficiency

Manure management

Energy efficiency

Chapter 3: Research methodology

Research methods and approach

Qualitative approach.

Data collection methods

Secondary approach: Systematic review of peer reviewed articles

Analysis approach

Thematic analysis

Ethical consideration

Reliability, accuracy, and academic rigour maintained

Chapter 4: Findings and analysis

Chapter 5: Discussion

Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendation

References (Harvard)

Alternative topic: To investigate approaches towards energy-sustainable animal agriculture in Europe