Key Topics – Our Environment in Focus
Explore our key topics to learn about the most important challenges and solutions related to sustainability. Click on a topic to dive deeper and discover practical tips you can apply in everyday life.
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Species conservation: Every species counts
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Our Earth is home to an immeasurable diversity of life, but this precious heritage is under threat. Every day, animal species disappear or are pushed to the brink of extinction—often due to human activity. The loss of each individual species weakens the ecosystems on which we depend. It is high time to understand the causes and take action.
Methane Emissions from Livestock: An Underestimated Climate Threat
Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas—about 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 100-year period.
A significant share of these emissions comes from livestock farming, especially from ruminants like cattle. In Germany, approximately 75.9% of methane emissions in the agricultural sector are due to fermentation in ruminants.
Globally, livestock farming contributes nearly 120 million tons of methane to the atmosphere each year—equivalent to 3.3 billion tons of CO₂. Despite its shorter atmospheric lifespan (around 12 years) compared to CO₂, methane’s high global warming potential makes it a major short-term driver of climate change.