Grazing, Grass and Gas (10/3/13)

Climate One

Earth Sciences, Social Sciences, Science, News, News Commentary

4.7 • 583 Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2013

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

“We have the potential to use grazing lands and use cattle and livestock to help slow climate change,” according to UC Berkeley professor Whendee Silver. Grasslands are under-represented in land conservation, yet they cover about 40 percent of the Earth’s surface and have a big impact by storing greenhouse gases so they don’t enter the atmosphere. While discussing conservation projects, the speakers turned to the larger problems of overpopulation and consumption. “Our generation and the ones short to follow have to come to terms with the fact that there are other ways of managing human societies, because this one is not sustainable,” said former Patagonia CEO Kristine Tompkins, founder of Conservacion Patagonica. Experts addressed the challenges of land conservation, restoration ecology and growing populations in an era of climate disruption. “We’re working in one of the last four places in the world where these native grasslands remain,” said Pete Geddes, managing director of the American Prairie Reserve. Kristine Tompkins, Founder and President, Conservacion Patagonica, Former CEO, Patagonia Whendee Silver, Professor of Environmental Science, UC Berkeley Pete Geddes, Managing Director, American Prairie Reserve This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on October 3, 2013 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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1:07.0	Today we're discussing preservation of ecosystems in the age of global change.
1:11.6	California's rolling hills and grasslands are one of the iconic images of the golden state.
1:16.9	Beyond their beauty, they're also an important part of the state's economy and ecosystem.
1:21.4	Worldwide, grasslands are being cut up by development and impacted by cattle grazing, agriculture, and other activities.
1:28.1	Cows and other livestock grazing on grasslands are a big source of carbon pollution.
1:32.9	Some researchers say grazing patterns can turn that around and actually help cut greenhouse gases.
1:38.8	Over the next hour, we'll look at the importance of grasslands to economies and ecosystems
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