MEAT AND THE PLANET:Livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of the global warming effect

ncpa.org ^ | December 28, 2006

[InvisibleChurch]

As the human population continues to multiply -- and our biological footprint on the planet becomes larger -- so do all the things associated with us, including our livestock, says the New York Times.

For example, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

At present, there are about 1.5 billion cattle and domestic buffalo and about 1.7 billion sheep and goats in the world. Global livestock grazing and feed production use 30 percent of the land surface of the planet. Livestock -- which consume more food than they yield -- also compete directly with humans for water. But what is even more striking, and alarming, are their effects on the environment:

Livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of the global warming effect, more than transportation's contribution. The culprits are methane -- the natural result of bovine digestion -- and the nitrogen emitted by manure. Deforestation adds to the effect; the drive to expand grazing land destroys more biologically sensitive terrain, rain forests especially, than anything else. There are no easy trade-offs when it comes to global warming -- such as cutting back on cattle to make room for cars, says the Times. The human passion for meat is certainly not about to end anytime soon. Our health and the health of the planet depend on pushing livestock production in more sustainable directions.

Source: Editorial, "Meat and the Planet," New York Times, December 27, 2006.

For text:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/opinion/27wed4.html

For full report:

http://www.virtualcentre.org/en/library/key_pub/longshad/A0701E00.pdf

For more on Environment Issues:

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_Category=31

[RightResponse]

"Slightly off topic, but by unusual event this week I acquired a substantial amount of reindeer meat. Anyone have good recipes for me?"

Add some pork, and mail it to Gitmo...

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Put Beano in the livestock feed!

[CDHart]

I believe plants give off oxygen.

Carolyn

[KarlInOhio]

One answer: Eat more veal and lamb. Don't give the critters much time to warm the globe.

[Issaquahking]

Hey! don't be putting facts out, when BS is the meat of the day!

[KarlInOhio]

Slightly off topic, but by unusual event this week I acquired a substantial amount of reindeer meat.

Did the old man with the toys survive or did you get to keep those too?

[upchuck]

MEAT AND THE PLANET

As Dave Barry might say, "Great name for a rock band."

LOL!

[traditional1]

We're all DOOMED I tell ya........DOOMED!

[wbill]

...I was thinking a little bigger. Greenland and Antartica for instance. Also, most of Australia, Northern Canada, Northern Russia, and anything identified as a 'Rain Forest' or 'Desert'.

Maybe the author could make an argument for 1/3 of arable farmland going to livestock. But I think that would be a stretch, as well.

[saganite]

No recipes but that red nose will make a fine table decoration.

[Doomonyou]

Same goes for my medium-rare rib eye!

Not to mention my medium-rare New York Strip!

[Cementjungle]

Something to really look forward to!

[Doomonyou]

They want us all to become VEGANS!.............I KNEW THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY!!!!.......

They're a bunch of commie-pinko-tofu eating bastards!

[The_Victor]

They want us all to become VEGANS!.............I KNEW THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY!!!!.......

If we all become vegans, human methane output will offset the reduction from the livestock.

We're doomed either way, so I'd rather eat steak. Where's my ribeye?

[Minnesoootan]

yah,30acres oot of 100 are inhabited by domestic farm animals....you wouldn't be able to sleep for all the moo-ing and bah-ing.

[southernerwithanattitude]

Bush's fault!

[SampleMan]

Anyone know how many bizillion wild herbivores there were 30,000 years ago? What about just American bison?

What is the contribution of whales, elephants, and panda bears?

What a load of crap ;-)

[MosesKnows]

Livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of the global warming effect

This assumes that someone actually knows whether natural global climate change is warming or cooling. However, if we accept that assumption it is then fair, and also logical, to request a listing of all other things that are responsible. This logical request is based on another assumption; the assumption that the total must be known in order to know what makes up 18% of that total.

[Old Professer]

REVENGE OF THE RUMINANTS!!!

[Old Professer]

Slower, and better mannered, for the most part.