Blaming the cow was a mistake: meadows capture more gases than cattle emit Blaming the cow was a mistake: meadows capture more gases than cattle emit. Recent studies have shown that the role of grasslands in capturing greenhouse gases is significantly more substantial than previously understood. While cattle do emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, the overall carbon sequestration capacity of grasslands is much higher. This means that the net contribution of grasslands to mitigating climate change is positive, as they absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than the methane emitted by livestock. This revelation shifts the focus from solely targeting livestock to a broader strategy that includes the preservation and expansion of grasslands.

Currently, cows have become a symbol of controversy, as the debate over their environmental impact, especially centered on methane emissions, has generated headlines, policies, and criticisms. But while many look at the animals, a group of researchers decided to observe the soil. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a team led by Professor Galen Erickson has carried out research that proposes a shift in the dominant narrative. Their focus is not on the burps and flatulence of cattle, but on the grasslands where these animals graze, and how these soils can capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. The results of the study show that, under conditions of proper management and with sufficient precipitation, grasslands can act as powerful carbon sinks. This means that they not only neutralize the emissions from cattle but can even exceed them, generating a positive climate balance. Erickson explained to KMTV 3 News that “with adequate precipitation, we are seeing that ...