Much of the Colorado River’s water goes to feed cows. How changing your diet could help

Through their burps, farts and manure, cows are the largest source of methane emissions in the U.S., and the world. Methane is a greenhouse gas that’s heating up the planet even faster than carbon dioxide.

The U.S., which has the fourth-largest cattle population in the world, plays a role in reducing that demand, said Jessica Fanzo, director of the Food for Humanity Initiative and a professor who studies climate and diet at Columbia University.

Americans consume more meat and dairy than most people across the globe, and above the recommended amount for good health, Fanzo said.

“In places like the United States, we have a lot of room to move — we can reduce our meat consumption and still be very healthy,” she said. “There's some evidence suggesting, in the US., if you reduce your beef consumption 30% — so, two days a week not having beef — you could reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by about 25%. That's significant.”

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