SUSTAINABILITY:
IMPACT OF
AGRICULTURE

Agriculture contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions – estimated in the latest IPCC report to be ~ 23%. Second only to electricity and heat production.

The two biggest sources of greenhouse gases from agriculture are:

• The release of nitrous oxide (298 times more potent than CO2) from agricultural soils.
• Methane (28 times more potent than CO2) from livestock and manures

If the dogs of the world were to form a country, it would be the 5th largest meat consuming country on the planet.

What we produce to feed our dogs (and ourselves) has a profound impact on the environment.

Food and agriculture lie at the heart of tackling climate change, reducing water stress and pollution, restoring lands back to forests or grasslands, and protecting the world’s wildlife.

• Food accounts for almost a quarter (23%) of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Half of the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture.
• 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture.
• 78% of global ocean and freshwater eutrophication (pollution of waterways with pollutants like fertilisers) is caused by agriculture.
• 94% of mammal biomass (excluding humans) is livestock. Of the 28,000 species considered to be threatened with extinction, agriculture and aquaculture is a threat to 24,000 of them.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector come mostly from cultivation of crops, livestock and deforestation.

• Global livestock is responsible for 14.5% of all anthropogenic GHG emissions.
• Beef (41%) and dairy (20%) contribute the largest percentage of these emissions followed by pork (9%), chicken and eggs (8%) and lamb (6%).
• Land, and change of land use (deforestation) account for 5.5% of emissions – livestock is responsible for 65% of this.
• Livestock accounts for 77% of global farming land use but only produces 18% of the world’s calories and 37% of total protein.

This illustrates the significant difference in the emissions impact of animal agriculture versus crops.

Of Earth’s estimated 400,000 plant species, we could eat some 300,000. Yet we eat a mere 200 globally, and 50% of our plant-sourced protein and calories come from just four crops: maize (corn), rice, soy and wheat. 75% of all our food comes from just 12 plants and 5 animals.

Relying on these monocultured crops poses significant risks, not just for our food security, but also the environment.

• Monoculture is responsible for significant deforestation and reduction in nutrients vital for soil health.
• Fertilisers, needed to reduce soil exhaustion, emit Nitrous Oxide polluting our waterways and oceans.
• Monoculture lands require increased pesticide and herbicide use and accelerate erosion and loss of the topsoil necessary for sustaining crop growth.
• Monocultured farming uses more mechanised equipment resulting in increased GHG emissions from diesel.
• Rice is the single largest emitter of methane, a GHG 28 times more potent than CO2

To protect our forests and soils, reduce damage to our waterways and oceans and improve our food security, it is vital that we break our reliance on these 4 monocrops by adding a diverse variety of plant-based foods to our diets.

In contrast to these monocrops, there are alternative crops that are both highly nutritious and environmentally friendly.

Legumes (peas, lentils, beans) are considered climate smart foods.

They increase follow on crop yields, act as ground cover to prevent weeds, fix nitrogen in the soil improving soil health, require less water and fertiliser, and improve biodiversity and food security.

Ground cover crops like oats, rapeseed, rye and clover help to reduce erosion, protect soil nutrients and reduce herbicide use.

Root and tuber crops (like sweet potato and potato), legumes and quinoa are climate resilient crops which, as well as being amongst the most energy productive crops on the planet, also adapt helping to restore marginalised agricultural lands.

The ingredients in Bonza are chosen for their ability to improve soils, increase yields, enhance biodiversity and improve food security for us all.

No wheat, corn, soy or rice.

Deforestation, to provide cleared land for the farming of animals, and the growing of crops to feed them, is responsible for a significant level of GHG emissions – 5.5% of all emissions. More than the combined total for all aviation, shipping and rail transport.

• Forests help stabilise the climate. They regulate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, play an integral part in the carbon cycle, support livelihoods, and can help drive sustainable growth.
• Halting the loss and degradation of forests and promoting their restoration has the potential to contribute over 30% of the total climate change mitigation scientists say is required by 2030.
• Restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land could sequester up to 1.7 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
• Forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
• Globally, 1.6 billion people (many of whom are the world’s poorest) rely on forests for their livelihoods.

Key to increasing the impact forests have on planetary, and human, health is reducing agriculture induced deforestation, preserving existing rainforests and planting new forests to improve degraded land.

To fulfil our mission of inspiring a healthier everyday life for our dogs and planet, we partner with these organisations to preserve existing rainforests, plant Forest Gardens and help the poorest most at risk from climate change, live better lives.

Every subscription delivery of Bonza good health helps the Rainforest Trust protect 400m2 of rainforest, preserving 20 trees, storing 9.8 tonnes of CO2 and removing a further 0.4 tonnes from the atmosphere every year.

Every bag contributes to Trees for the Future’s Forest Garden programs through 1% for the Planet, supporting the poorest communities most at risk from the impacts of climate change, improving their lives, and helping to restore the planet.