Signal for a nature-compatible agriculture
Dr. Anita Idel at a pasture with grazing cattle: “Cows are no climate killers,” she says, “but humankind with its fossil-driven industrialisation and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers.” Sustainable grazing supports the total biodiversity of pastures as well as soil formation.
© Katrin DenkewitzThe methane emitted as part of their digestion has put cattle under the suspicion of fanning global heating. In her book “Cows Are No Climate Killers!,” author and agronomist Dr. Anita Idel puts this assertion into perspective. According to Anita Idel, cows can bind large amounts of carbon dioxide as humus in the soil – if they may graze on pasture and are not chained up in barns. The potential of sustainable grazing has hardly been recognized within the climate debate, says Idel. She has received the EuroNatur award for her remarkable efforts towards the conservation of nature and the environment, including soils. Her great personal commitment to an animal-friendly and natural agriculture was also appreciated by the accolade. In his laudatory speech, EuroNatur presidium member Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger additionally emphasized the courage of the awardee, who has never been intimidated despite all public attacks.
