The fairy tale of the evil cow
Do the approximately eleven million German cows and cattle harm the climate because they excrete large amounts of methane when they ruminate? It's not that simple!
Researchers are discovering a mysterious symbiosis between cow, pasture and everything that lives there. Provided they are kept properly, cows are important for the ecosystem. Without cows there would be no grassland. But that, in turn, is a very important CO2 reservoir.
In Germany, about 500 tonnes of CO2 per hectare are bound in this way - more than in forest soil or from arable land. If you let cows graze instead of mowing, this enriches biodiversity enormously. The right mix of herbs on pasture even has a positive effect on the methane content of ruminants. Studies have shown this. Cow-friendly and environmentally friendly animal husbandry is possible if you significantly reduce the number of cows + cattle.
Broadcasting on 11th of May 2023 at 10.45pm on SWR/ARD
Music: POPVIRUS Library