Stop messing with rumen microbes and focus on reducing ruminant populations for environmental and human health

Authors

• Clifton P. Bueno de Mesquita, University of Colorado Boulder
• Ylenia Vimercati Molano, Vimercati Art
• Lara Vimercati, The Natural History Museum, London
• Andrew McGregor, Macquarie University
• P. Jacob Bueno de Mesquita, Roger Williams UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Npj Sustainable Agriculture

Publication Date

12-1-2026

Abstract

Substantial resources are being mobilized for a microbiological solution to the ruminant methane problem. We commend scientists for working on climate solutions but describe why altering rumen microbiomes does not solve the ruminant methane problem and poses dangers to environmental and human health. Reducing ruminant populations resolves the ruminant methane problem and other issues with ruminant agriculture. Climate change mitigation policies should focus on more high impact and harmonious solutions.

Volume

4

Issue

1

DOI

10.1038/s44264-026-00150-z

Recommended Citation

Bueno de Mesquita, C., Vimercati Molano, Y., Vimercati, L., McGregor, A., & Bueno de Mesquita, P. (2026). Stop messing with rumen microbes and focus on reducing ruminant populations for environmental and human health. Npj Sustainable Agriculture, 4 (1) https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-026-00150-z

E-ISSN

27319202