Practise SL questions on economic sustainability by evaluating local production, family-owned farms, rural jobs and future 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 7, explain how Swiss dairy farming can be considered sustainable.
a. 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'.