AP Environmental Science 9.D: Greenhouse Gas Potency

As the human population continues to grow, the demand for animal protein is expected to double by 2050. Animal protein can be obtained from conventional livestock and other sources. The production of all animal protein has environmental costs, as shown in the following graphs. In Figure 1, global warming potential (GWP) is measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent $\left(\mathrm{kgCO}_{2}-\mathrm{eq}\right)$. Carbon dioxide equivalent is a measure of the warming effect of a gas relative to that of carbon dioxide. In Figure 2, land use is measured in meters squared ( $\mathrm{m}^{2}$ ).

Global Warming Potential and Land Use from Animal Protein Production

Based on the data in the graphs, explain why the production of 1 kilogram of beef protein has a different impact on global warming than the production of 1 kilogram of protein from any of the other animals studied would have.

Agricultural practices can have negative impacts on rivers and streams.