Livestock and Climate Justice: Challenging Mainstream Policy Narratives

García-Dory, Fernando; Houzer, Ella; Scoones, Ian

doi:10.19088/1968-2021.128

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The systematic biases against extensive livestock producers, most notably pastoralists, are evident however. This has very direct consequences, with major injustices arising as fingers of blame are pointed inappropriately (García‐Dory et al, 2021 ). Aggregation and lack of differentiation may also get others off the hook.…”

Section: Politics and Interestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livestock, methane, and climate change: The politics of global assessments

Scoones

2022

WIREs Climate Change

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The relationship between livestock production and climate change is the subject of hot debate, with arguments for major shifts in diets and a reduction in livestock production. This Perspective examines how global assessments of livestock-derived methane emissions are framed, identifying assumptions and data gaps that influence standard life-cycle analysis approaches. These include inadequate data due to a focus on industrial not extensive systems; errors arising due to inappropriate emission factors being applied; questions of how global warming potentials are derived for different greenhouse gases and debates about what baselines are appropriate. The article argues for a holistic systems approach that takes account of diverse livestock systems-both intensive and extensive-including both positive and negative impacts. In particular, the potential benefits of extensive livestock systems are highlighted, including supporting livelihoods, providing high-quality nutrition, enhancing biodiversity, protecting landscapes, and sequestering carbon. By failing to differentiate between livestock systems, global assessments may mislead. Inappropriate measurement, verification and reporting processes linked to global climate change policy may in turn result in interventions that can undermine the livelihoods of extensive livestock-keepers in marginal areas, including mobile pastoralists. In the politics of global assessments, certain interests promote framings of the livestock-climate challenge in favour of contained, intensive systems, and the conversion of extensive rangelands into conservation investments. Emerging from a narrow, aggregated scientific framing, global assessments therefore can have political consequences. A more disaggregated, nuanced approach is required if the future of food and climate change is to be effectively addressed.

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Section: Politics and Interestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livestock, methane, and climate change: The politics of global assessments

Scoones

2022

WIREs Climate Change

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tree planting in areas that were not historically forested may negatively impact biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by ancient open and mosaic landscapes (Bond et al, 2019;Vetter, 2020;Garcıá-Dory et al, 2021;Lehmann et al, 2021). Afforestation projects commonly use exotic species and compromise other ecosystem services including water provision, grazing/forage, and biodiversity (Stickler et al, 2009;Bond et al, 2019;Garcıá-Dory et al, 2021). Loss of access to such ecosystem services is of particular concern given that Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, with almost 80% living below the poverty line $1.90 a day (Neugarten et al, 2016;Baumann, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of palaeoecology in reconciling biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and carbon storage in Madagascar

Gillson,

Razanatsoa,

Razafimanantsoa

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Planting trees is proposed as an important climate mitigation tool, but can be detrimental to biodiversity and livelihoods if not carefully planned and managed, with landscape history and livelihoods in mind. In Madagascar, deforestation is of concern, and a threat to forest-adapted biota. However, much of Madagascar’s landscape harbours ancient mosaic and open ecosystems that are home to unique suites of flora and fauna and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Though guidelines for ecologically and socially responsible reforestation are emerging, the potential role of landscape history and palaeoecology has been generally underemphasised. Here, using Madagascar as a case study, we argue that forest restoration projects need a sound understanding of landscape history that includes a greater integration of palaeoecological data. This would help establish the former composition and extent of forests and also investigate the antiquity of open and mosaic ecosystems. When economic interests are strong, information from palaeoecology and environmental history can help reduce biases when identifying appropriate locations and suites of species for forestation. Furthermore, a reflective approach to landscape history can contribute to restoration projects that integrate cultural and livelihood considerations. A transdisciplinary approach that considers local needs and cultural context can facilitate the design and implementation of restoration projects that share benefits equitably. Underpinning this ambition is a more comprehensive consideration of ecosystem service benefits in a changing climate that includes accurate carbon storage calculations, as well as other ecosystem services including water provision, soil formation and erosion prevention, grazing resources, medicine and cultural components.

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Untold Climate Stories: Feminist Political Ecology Perspectives on Extractivism, Climate Colonialism and Community Alternatives

Ekowati

Maimunah

Owen

et al. 2023

Gender, Development and Social Change

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In this chapter, we explore what is learned when our reflections on the systemic injustices that underpin climate change are woven together through feminist political ecology, with its emphasis on situated knowledges, lived experience and the everyday. Drawing on our research and activism in Kenya, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, we exchange reflections relating to extractivism and its logic of endless growth, corporate enclosure of land and water, erosion of biodiversity and the exploitation of life, enabled through coloniality. Extractivist depletion is what creates myriad forms of climate injustice. Bringing together stories from diverse contexts including communities impacted by mining and oil palm in Indonesia, oil drilling in the United Kingdom and pastoralists in Kenya, we show that while extractivism alters relationships with the land in extraordinarily harmful ways, mainstream climate stories obscure these realities and continue to decentre any sense of root causes. We share our reflections on the consequences that follow, but also show how shining a light on extractivism can reveal the persistence of healthier, reciprocal and replenishing relations with the land, water and creatures.

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Livestock and Climate Justice: Challenging Mainstream Policy Narratives

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

Livestock, methane, and climate change: The politics of global assessments

Livestock, methane, and climate change: The politics of global assessments

The role of palaeoecology in reconciling biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and carbon storage in Madagascar

Untold Climate Stories: Feminist Political Ecology Perspectives on Extractivism, Climate Colonialism and Community Alternatives

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