uwe.roland.gross

A BRILLIANT take on cows, methane, and climate

A circular diagram depicting the carbon dioxide (CO2) cycle with cows and plants against a pasture background, highlighting the role of the atmosphere.

The phrase “A BRILLIANT take on cows, methane, and climate” directly refers to a widely shared perspective that challenges the mainstream narrative blaming cattle for significantly driving climate change via their methane (CH₄) burps.

This view centers on the biogenic carbon cycle:

Cows eat grass that has recently absorbed CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

They digest it, releasing methane as a byproduct of rumen fermentation.

That methane breaks down in the atmosphere over about 10–12 years into CO₂ and water.

If herd sizes remain stable (not growing), the CO₂ gets reabsorbed by new grass regrowth, creating a roughly closed loop with no net long-term addition of warming gases to the atmosphere- unlike fossil fuel CO₂, which adds ancient carbon that accumulates for centuries to millennia.

The biogenic carbon cycle (also called the biogenic methane cycle in the context of ruminant livestock) is a natural, relatively short- loop process that recycles carbon through living organisms, the atmosphere, and back again- primarily involving plants, ruminant animals (like cows, sheep, and goats), and soil. It contrasts sharply with the fossil carbon cycle, where burning ancient fuels adds “new” carbon that has been locked away for millions of years and accumulates in the atmosphere over centuries to millennia.

Diagram illustrating the biogenic carbon cycle, showing the roles of the atmosphere, CO2, plants, and cows in carbon exchange.

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From Watts Up With That?

By Anthony Watts

A woman in a beanie and jacket engaging in a discussion with an older man wearing a cowboy hat and a brown jacket, with a herd of cows in the background and a cloudy sky.

Every once in a while, the climate chaos noise gets condensed into something simple. Reduced to fact in the crucible of truth. This post on X was one of those moments:

A farmer and an activist engage in a discussion in a pasture with cows in the background. The farmer wears a cowboy hat and jacket, while the activist wears a beanie and a coat, as they debate the environmental impact of cattle and the biogenic carbon cycle.

Yes, you can look it up.

Illustration of the biogenic carbon cycle, depicting the processes of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (CO2) capture by plants, methane (CH4) emissions from cows, and hydroxyl oxidation. Includes a sun icon, a cow, and labels explaining each step in the cycle.
The Biogenic Carbon Cycle and Cattle | CLEAR Center

Meanwhile:

Infographic showing sources of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting that cattle represent just 2% of emissions within the livestock category, alongside data on transportation, electricity generation, industry, and agriculture.
Greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the United States. Note that beef production is
less than half of the entire livestock sector, at just 2 percent. Source: Data from U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. Graphic by Anthony Watts. Artwork icons in graphic licensed from 123rf.com.

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