Stop Global Warming, Eat Less Meat

[rpicardi1]

UN says eat less meat to curb global warming

Your Sunday roast stands accused. According to the United Nation's chief climate expert, Rajendra Pachauri, that tasty piece of top rump resting on your dining table is the source of many of the world's environmental woes, in particular those involved in the dangerous warming of the planet's climate.

100kg The amount of methane emitted by the average cow every year. Methane is a greenhouse gas with an effect 23 times greater than carbon dioxide, so this is equal to 2,300 kgs per year, or almost the same as two return flights between London and New York, or driving 7,800 miles.
1.5 billion The estimated number of cows and bulls worldwide. They produce two-thirds of the world's ammonia, which is the principal cause of acid rain.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/07/food.foodanddrink

:mad:Pure http://junkscience.com/ designed to eliminate our lifestyle "for our own good and well being."

[captain82]

I'm a meatatarian. I only eat meat.

[chucksc]

Based on the name, could this 3rd world functionary be a Hindu? Would go a long towards explaining the anti T-Bone bias....

LOL!

[PatPut99]

I'll pass. I'm quite the fan of my meat :] lol

[Jonatan08]

Long live meat!!! :9

/Jonatan

[pstraten]

I suppose we should eat more tofu and get stomach cancer instead.

[jtr1962]

Sounds like a problem for cloning and genetic engineering to solve. Maybe we could grow huge trays of perfect meat in a lab, in perfectly sanitary conditions, and without growth hormones or other meds. It would be healthier, have far less impact on the environment, and you wouldn't have to slaughter a sentient being (i.e. even PETA would be happy).

I'll grant that the author makes some valid points, even if you're not a believer in global warming, about the health benefits of eating less meat. While I personally believe eating no meat at all isn't healthy given the human body's nutritional requirements, we could easily cut the meat in the typical American diet by 80% or 90% with no ill effects, at least until some permanent solution like lab-grown sirloin is found. My impetus for cutting my own meat consumption has been partly economic and partly for health reasons. After reading all the meds they need to give corn-fed cows to keep them alive long enough to fatten up, I decided I don't want that junk in my body. Any guesses that the growth hormones in beef are at least partially responsible for the obesity epidemic? Anyway, a few servings a week of meat, usually as a small part of a dish like pasta or Chinese, is fine. Frankly, I lost my taste for eating slabs of meat such as steak long ago.

[Jim Prower]

We get a cow from a local farmer...probably more "environmentally friendly" than many of the superfarms, safer, much better tasting, and FAR, FAR cheaper to boot!

Unfortunately, this is NOT an option for most people, but I'm glad we know some farmers.

[USRailFan]

Hitler was a vegetarian - eat meat and be proud!

[CGW409]

Vegitarian: Indian word for lousy hunter :P

[inflammable]

Why not put the construction industry back into full swing, and build roofs over all the pastures. The methane can be collected easily, then, purified and bottled.

I have another idea using the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome ideas. Pig farmers, who have to collect the waste anyway, should render the methane from the waste, and use it for fuel. It won't solve the fuel woes for the nation, but it may help out those areas.

What's the carbon footprint of cattle?

James

[chucksc]

Vegitarian: Indian word for lousy hunter :P
I think we are talking about a slightly different brand of Indian here!

ROFL

[rpicardi1]

More on the subject:D

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/09/09/do0901.xml