Global warming experts warn that livestock farming produces vast amounts of greenhouse gases, and they are urging us to cut down on meat to help stem global warming. But will it really help?
What’s the story?
In the war against global warming, bovine and ovine flatulence isn’t an immediately obvious battlefront – but the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation claims that meat production accounts for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is largely because livestock emit lots of methane, which is 23 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Some experts suggest that sticking to veg once a week would have more beneficial effects than reducing car journeys.
Who disagrees?
The Food Climate Research Network (FCRN) estimates that livestock generate only eight per cent of UK emissions, and says that eating meat is good for the planet in some ways, as some habitats benefit from grazing. The FCRN also points out that vegetarian diets that include lots of dairy products wouldn’t noticeably reduce emissions.
What are the stats?
Producing a pound of beef creates the same amount of greenhouse gas as driving for 77 miles. The amount of greenhouse gas a cow produces annually is the equivalent of driving 7,800 miles. Britain eats a million tons of beef a year, 1.3 million tons of pork and 1.8 million tons of poultry, and world meat consumption is set to double in the next 20 years as developing countries become richer.
What can I do?
Consider going meat- and dairy-free one day a week. But if that doesn’t appeal, then buy British. Cutting back on imported foods saves a huge amount of carbon dioxide emissions from transport – plus, meat production in the UK is more environmentally friendly than in many parts of the world, such as Brazil, where rainforests are bulldozed to rear cattle. For ideas on how to cut your carbon footprint and curb global warming, click here