Dairy foods are the fifth largest provider of energy, and third largest protein source, in the human diet. They also are a key source of macronutrients — such as calcium and magnesium — and micronutrients, such as selenium and riboflavin. But the dairy industry recently has come under scrutiny for carbon dioxide and methane emissions as well as land use concerns.

On this episode of The Sweaty Penguin, we explore the environmental issues of milk production, how they fit into broader economic and health discussions, and how dairy can become more sustainable. With special guest Dr. Ermias Kebreab, Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Animal Agriculture at University of California, Davis.

This episode is part of Covering Climate Now’s “Food & Water” joint coverage week.