Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are responsible for about 11% of total US CO2e emissions. Food waste is responsible for another 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike emissions from other sectors, agriculture emissions are increasing. According to an article in Science, even if fossil fuel emissions were immediately halted, current trends in food systems would prevent the achievement of the 1.5°C target and threaten reaching the 2°C target.

For these reasons, the US must reduce agriculture and food systems methane emissions as quickly as possible in three key ways: (1) reduce methane emissions from beef and dairy operations, (2) increase demand for healthy, plant-based foods, and (3) reduce food waste.