The Impact of Anthropogenic Climate Change on Egyptian Livestock Production

Abstract

Egypt is one of the hottest countries in the world, and extreme climate events are becoming more frequent, which is consistent with the warming of the planet. The impact of this warming on ecosystems is severe, including on livestock production systems. Under Egyptian conditions, livestock already suffer heat stress periods in summer. The predicted increases in temperature as result of climate change will affect livestock production by reducing growth and milk production because of appetite suppression and conception rate reductions and will increase animal welfare concerns. In severe cases, these effects can result in death. We review the heat stress effects on livestock behaviour, reproduction, and production in the context of predicted climate change for Egypt over the course of this century and offer alternative scenarios to achieve food security for a growing human population. As an example, we combine predictions for reduced milk production during heat stress and human population trajectories to predict that milk availability per person will decline from 61 kg/year in 2011 to 26 kg/year in 2064. Mitigation strategies are discussed and include the substitution of animal-based foods for plant-based foods and laboratory-grown animal products.

Characterization of rabbits production systems in Egypt

“…The Egyptian climate is characterized by warm days and cold nights. There are two main seasons: a mild winter (November-April) and a hot summer from May to October (Goma and Phillips, 2021). The data was collected through a structured questionnaire by interviewing 200 farmers face to face.…”

Cancer and Ongoing Climate Change: Who Are the Most Affected?

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from high-temperature pyrogenic processes and vehicular emissions, which are related to the higher risk of breast cancer and colorectal cancer, were also found in commonly consumed leafy vegetables . The increase in the temperature led by climate change may increase appetite suppression and reduce conception rate of livestock because of heat stress, as well as reduce milk production . Lower dairy product consumption has been observed in line with increased breast cancer and colorectal cancer .…”

‘Can They Take the Heat?’—The Egyptian Climate and Its Effects on Livestock

“…Similarly, the predicted increase in temperature between 2011 and 2067 from a previous review [ 38 ], was used to determine a predicted THI and proportion of time period per day sheep and cattle would experience heat stress at some point in each half-hour ( Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). This maximum proportion of half-hour periods that sheep were expected to experience thermal stress then extended from May until October ( Figure 3 ) and was similarly increased in cattle ( Figure 4 ).…”

“… The predicted proportion of the half-hour periods of the day that cattle at the two locations (Behira and Menofia) are likely to experience THI greater than that believed to cause heat stress, after addition of temperature increment expected from climate change [ 38 ]. …”