Posted on 11/29/2006 5:48:02 AM PST by NativeNewYorker
Rome (dpa) - Farm animal manure produces more greenhouse gas emissions than cars.
The surprise finding is the result of a report published Wednesday by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
According to the UN agency's Livestock's Long Shadow -Environmental Issues and Options report, the global livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent 18 per cent than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.
``Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation,'' said Henning Steinfeld, head of FAO's Livestock Information and Policy Branch and senior author of the report.
The animals' digestive system also produces dangerously high quantities of methane and ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain.
The world's livestock sector is growing fast and now uses up nearly a third of the earth's entire land surface as increased prosperity induces people to consume more meat and dairy products.
According to the report, global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tonnes in the 1999-2001 period to 465 million tonnes in 2050. Milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tonnes over the same period, FAO said.
Potential remedies identified by the report include controlling access and removing obstacles to mobility on common pastures; payment schemes for environmental services in livestock-based land use; and improving animals' diets to reduce intestinal fermentation and consequent methane emissions.
No problem where I live; just about every last square foot of farmland has been replaced with housing developments and shopping, er, "Lifestyle" centers.
Must of been really bad when dinosuars roamed the earth.
Shut down Congress, ASAP!!!
The real answer is fewer humans overall, and make those that remain vegans.
THAT's what "these people" seek.
Oh, and a 7th-century technoogy level for the masses, but not the privileged few in government.
The factually inclined person understands that CO2 is not a pollutant, but rather it is a nutrient for those organisms on the carbon sink side of the carbon cycle.
Isn't there any way to make power or fuel from manure & sewage? I'm serious. It's a constantly renewable source. I would love nothing more than for someone to come up with a way for us to dispense with using crude oil all together.
No $h!t!
Someone ask scientists the question: What would happen if there was no CO2?
The Alarmists have now mandated that: In some Eastern Cities, horses pulling carraiges MUST HAVE DIAPERS. In Californis, horse manure--once sought for fertilizer--is declared a "hazardous material". Speculation is that it gets into the water supply and causes algae. Horse Owners are threatened with citations if their horses go while they are out on a trail.
In Ann Coulter's book, however, she describes Liberal's love affair with their feces.
I suggest teaching all farm animals to use a toilet and to flush. Beano could be added to feed.
There is quite a bit of info at the link.
What bull.
I suppose Green composting is going to produce CO2, too along with methane, since trees produce 33% of it. Tax that too?
Compost tea is a necessary to ensure healthy seedlings with no dampoff. None of that in the future?
I'm a Green, but these people are just greedy grabbing the money out of other's pockets on an silly idea wrapped up in globalbalony. ~And the self-righteous twits sill fly and drive...
The Control Freaks are at it again...
I'm helping Ron White save the earth from global warming. ;-D
yep
If they believe their own hysterical propaganda about greenhouse gases then the UN should introduce a Volcano tax.
What message is that meant to convey?
First, where is the list of exactly what gases are included in the expression "greenhouse gas emissions?
Second, what is the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. largest sources of the dreaded "greenhouse gases"?
Third, what are greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent?
I don’t have the answers so for the moment let me assume that CO2 is a gas that causes concern. This assumption is largely based on the reference to CO2 equivalents as an apparent method of measurement.
The dictionary defines the noun carbon dioxide as a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas. Its chemical notation is CO2, which means it is a compound made up of molecules containing one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Animals breathe out carbon dioxide and green plants absorb carbon dioxide. Combustion and organic decomposition form carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is also carbonic acid gas.
The greenhouse gas effect is the phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated back from the earth's surface. The greenhouse gas effect is what causes Earth to have an atmosphere that supports life.
Most of the discussions I see regarding greenhouse gases seem to revolve around the notion that man will be able to control global climate change. This notion, combined with a lack of honesty and completeness in the reports, causes my deep skepticism.
How do you know when an environmentalist is lying?
It's lips are moving.
Good thing there were no animals until the 20th century, since that's when global warming started.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.