Cow burps are a major climate issue. Livestock produce a large share of the world’s methane, a potent greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over two decades. Agriculture as a whole accounts for nearly half of all methane emissions.

Agricultural methane is only rising as populations and demand for food grow. But dozens of new strategies are emerging that can help rein in dangerous emissions while still increasing meat and vegetable production. From better breeding to cow-burp vaccines, new WRI research explores the most promising options. 

Mango farmers in central Tanzania’s water-strained Chamwino district were struggling to keep trees alive and earn a living. But that was before solar-powered water pumps arrived.

The world isn’t adapting to climate change fast enough, in part because the risks may seem distant or uncertain. But we need to start investing in resilience now. Emerging strategies rooted in behavioral science could help spur action.

Firefighters battled flames in the Southeast U.S. last week, while Japan’s largest wildfire in decades forced thousands to evacuate. These latest events are devastating reminders that forest fires are getting worse around the globe, with climate change fanning the flames. 

Nearly half of global methane emissions originate in the agriculture sector. Curbing the powerful heat-trapping gas is a key opportunity to fight climate change in the near term.