Practise HL questions on economic sustainability by analysing family ownership, local employment and production systems that support human needs within environmental limits.
• There were over 27000 dairy farms in Switzerland in 2022, which produced 4 billion kg of milk per year.
• The average farm has 26 cows and is often family owned and operated.
• Cows have both cultural and tourism value in the Alps.
• Cows are taken to the alpine meadows for grazing in the summer, and down to the valleys for shelter during the winter.
• Methane gas from cow digestion contributes 6.2% of Switzerland's total greenhouse gas emissions.
• When cows eat fresh grass from alpine meadows, methane emissions are reduced when compared to eating hay (dried plants).
• Alpine meadows are carbon sinks.
• The Swiss dairy industry involves local production, processing and consumption.
• In 2021, wolves killed six calves in Vaud and two adult cows in Graubünden.
With reference to Figure: Switzerland’s dairy farms: key facts, explain how Swiss dairy farming can be considered sustainable.
farms are small and most are family-owned which supports the local economy/creates jobs in the local community / dairy farming supports local/rural economies (economically sustainable) / production and processing is local which contributes to the local economy;
b. Farms are small/family owned which maintains traditions/culture of Switzerland/is socially sustainable;
c. Cattle are moved each season to a different location allowing for grasses/soil to recover/preventing overgrazing/preventing soil erosion (increasing environmental sustainability);
d. Grazing in the alpine meadows/eating grass produces less methane/GHG emissions (than eating hay) (increasing environmental sustainability);
e. Alpine meadows used for dairy farming are carbon sinks (increasing environmental sustainability);
f. Production, processing and consumption are local, reducing CO2/GHG from transport (increasing environmental sustainability);
g. Eating locally produced food reduces the ecological footprint/enhances food security (of Switzerland) (increasing environmental sustainability);
Note to examiners: Do not accept a 'reduction in pollution/emissions'. Do not accept 'cows provide cultural value/tourism that generates income'. Do not accept 'small/family farms are more ethical'.