Post by Urban Warrior on Jun 5, 2007 17:50:16 GMT
Cows Cause Most Global Warming?
With all the recent media hype on global warming and the Supremes' decision that the feds can and should regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are you surprised to hear that rearing cattle causes more CO2 emissions than driving cars?
According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide than transportation. The cattle industry is also a major source of land degradation and a key player in increasing water use and pollution.
"Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems," said Henning Steinfeld, chief of FAO's Livestock Information and Policy Branch. "Urgent action is required to remedy the situation."
The report authors said that with growing populations and incomes, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tons in 1999/2001 to 465 million tons in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tons, according to the report. Remedies, say the authors, are urgently needed.
The report suggests a number of ways to remedy the situation, including:
Land degradation-Controlling access and removing obstacles to mobility on common pastures. Use of soil conservation methods with controlled livestock exclusion from sensitive areas.
Atmosphere and climate-Increasing the efficiency of livestock production and feed crop agriculture. Improving animals' diets to reduce enteric fermentation and consequent methane emissions, and setting up biogas plant initiatives to recycle manure.
Water-Improving the efficiency of irrigation systems. Introducing full-cost pricing for water together with taxes to discourage large-scale livestock concentration close to cities.
The FAO report, Livestock's Long Shadow-Environmental Issues and Options, was produced with the support of the multi-institutional Livestock, Environment, and Development (LEAD) Initiative.
With all the recent media hype on global warming and the Supremes' decision that the feds can and should regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are you surprised to hear that rearing cattle causes more CO2 emissions than driving cars?
According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide than transportation. The cattle industry is also a major source of land degradation and a key player in increasing water use and pollution.
"Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems," said Henning Steinfeld, chief of FAO's Livestock Information and Policy Branch. "Urgent action is required to remedy the situation."
The report authors said that with growing populations and incomes, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tons in 1999/2001 to 465 million tons in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tons, according to the report. Remedies, say the authors, are urgently needed.
The report suggests a number of ways to remedy the situation, including:
Land degradation-Controlling access and removing obstacles to mobility on common pastures. Use of soil conservation methods with controlled livestock exclusion from sensitive areas.
Atmosphere and climate-Increasing the efficiency of livestock production and feed crop agriculture. Improving animals' diets to reduce enteric fermentation and consequent methane emissions, and setting up biogas plant initiatives to recycle manure.
Water-Improving the efficiency of irrigation systems. Introducing full-cost pricing for water together with taxes to discourage large-scale livestock concentration close to cities.
The FAO report, Livestock's Long Shadow-Environmental Issues and Options, was produced with the support of the multi-institutional Livestock, Environment, and Development (LEAD) Initiative.
