Of all the greenhouse gasses attributed to agriculture, the most important is methane. Globally, livestock produces 80 million tons of methane annually, about 28% of global methane emissions. As a gas twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a hundred years, it is primarily passed from livestock through belching, an average of five hundred liters each day², due to its enteric fermentation digestive process and daily diet. While the atmosphere is currently 18% methane³, compared to 72% CO2, reducing methane in our atmosphere will have a greater cooling impact on our atmosphere than reducing the same amount of CO2, since methane is a gas seventy-two times more potent than CO2 over twenty years.

Dr. Kirk Smith⁴, from the University of California Berkeley, said: “If you want to make an impact on climate in the next 20 years, the place to do it is with the shorter-lived greenhouse gases, most important of which is methane. Of the emissions in the next 20 years, the CO2 in this year’s emissions will only be 40% of the total warming. The other 60% or more will be from the shorter-lived gases, most important of which is methane.

Since methane’s impact on our atmosphere will be extremely significant, civil society and government must take immediate action to create a strategy to reduce methane emissions. According to Dr. Archer⁵, a hydrate reservoir in Eastern Siberia containing 1.5 trillion tons of methane could be naturally released due to global warming: “The hydrate reservoir is so large, that if 10% of the methane were released to the atmosphere within a few years, it would have an impact on the Earth’s radiation budget equivalent to a factor of 10 increase in CO2.”

Methane levels can be immediately reduced through the development of technologies for farmers to capture, monitor and reduce methane emitted from livestock. There is significant progress in New Zealand, where in April 2010, all livestock will be outfitted with manure catchers and gas masks to harvest up to 80% of methane emitted, thanks to generous grants⁶. A New Zealand study has suggested methane output could be reduced by up to 50 percent through changes to livestock feed⁷ More significantly, the New Zealand legislature voted to include methane in its emissions trading scheme. However, methane emissions are not legislated to enter the scheme until January 2015, due to difficulties in measuring and monitoring agricultural emissions⁸, according to an independent regulatory impact assessment.

Years of research from farmers and scientists have already led to some decrease in livestock emissions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization,“greenhouse gas emissions per liter of milk of African milk producers (cattle) is 6-7 times higher than from intensive dairy systems in the US or the EU”⁹ Recent improvements have also allowed US farmers to save on energy, through the recovery of biogas from liquid waste, and carbon sequestration from degraded lands. Through the increased transfer of research and technology, US or EU farmers can significantly lower dangerously high methane levels while also help farmers around the world save on energy costs and offset emissions.

However, to stop methane at it’s source, civil society and government must assess its choice of a daily diet. Assuming current consumption levels are maintained, and with global population set to rise to 9.1 billion by 2050, annual global meat production is projected to double from 229 million tons in 2000 to 465 million tons in 2050¹⁰. The impact of doubling in livestock production could be disastrous. It would result in a surge of greenhouse gasses, and could be a catalyst for releasing the 1.5 trillion tons of methane stored in Eastern Siberia, and naturally stored methane elsewhere. Campaigns such as the “Meat Free Monday campaign” led by Paul McCartney, encourages vegetarian meals and pledges backed by celebrities, to give up meat every Monday. According to research from the documentary “Meat the Truth¹¹”, if every American (300 million) gave up meat once a week, this would have the same effect on reducing greenhouse gases as saving ninety million plane tickets from New York to Los Angeles. Baltimore City Public schools has increased access to vegetarian options by having “Meatless Mondays” for their 82,000 students, despite opposition from meat industry lobbyists. In Taiwan, at least 86% of primary and secondary schools provide vegetarian options¹². Healthcare Without Harm, a coalition of 500 hospitals, healthcare professionals, and environmental groups, has reduced meat purchasing by 28 %.

The US government has a significant role to play in increasing access to meatless food options, though it is less explicit. While the new US House majority and recent disbandment of the US House Committee on Climate Change indicates that little action on the federal level will be taken towards climate change, there actually might be direct reform, though not explicitly, through agriculture. The 2012 farm bill might be the first farm bill in decades to reform farm subsidies; $10 to $30 billion dollars is paid to farmers each year. Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation shows ¾ of subsidy money, goes to 10% of recipients, encouraging larger farms to grow and buy out smaller farms¹³. By reducing subsidies, the costs of meat production increase as well, opening the way for greater consumption of meatless food options.

The increasingly imminent dangers of a spike in methane levels, and the strong evidence and research confirming the link between animal agriculture and the climate, requires that individuals, businesses, schools, farmers, scientists, the media and governments act swiftly, and fully explore every option available to lower methane. Ultimately, animal agriculture production will be determined by our everyday diets. Without changing out diets, farmers will continue to produce ever-increasing quantities of animal products. However, without an adequate fair farm or agriculture bill, farmers might not grow more vegetables or products not derived from animals when such products do not earn a profit. Without the initiative of businesses and schools to provide vegetarian meal options, individuals may not ever make the choice to consume less meat products. Civil society and government, must collaborate in order to create a space and culture where eating less meat is recognized as necessary not only for our health, but humanity’s long term survival on this planet. g

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 9,000 times in 2010. That’s about 22 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 5 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 32 posts.

The busiest day of the year was January 6th with 122 views. The most popular post that day was UN: Meat is a Leading Cause of Global Warming.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, slashingtongue.com, blogs.mtroyal.ca, twitter.com, and google.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for price of meat, meat price, meat statistics, cow farts causing global warming, and the price of meat.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

UN: Meat is a Leading Cause of Global Warming February 2009

The Cattle Industry is Destroying the Amazon Rainforest February 2009
5 comments

Cow Farts, Burps and Global Warming: No Laughing Matter March 2009
6 comments

10 WTF Statistics on Meat and Global Warming February 2009
9 comments

Americans Contribute the Most to Meat’s Impact on Global Warming (Duh) April 2009
3 comments

European Union and United Nations calls for a global shift to a vegan diet to survive hunger, poverty and climate change.  Again, going vegan is no easy task.  I’m not vegan myself.  But the signs are there.

However, I’ve been busy

One of my employers – since January, has been Nature’s Express.  A vegan fastfood restaurant.  Pretty cool eh?

While I can’t say I can now easily cook-up a hearty vegan meal for all my friends, I have been encouraged to cook more for myself, and have learned a few ways to add more excitement to my meals.

For example, there is a vegan cheese called DAIYA which is absolutely amazing.  You must try it.  More and more groceries are offering it.

Making a sandwich or burger with a range of sauces (try a cilantro pesto, spicy chipotle, homemade ketchups) – helps keep food interesting.  There are tons of recipes online.  Vegan mayo is also amazing.

Video:  http://bit.ly/ceDmgz

“In observance of World Water Day, PETA Germany placed this aqueous installation on the sidewalk of Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz to remind people that it takes 4,000 liters of water to produce one steak, while it only takes 1,100 liters to grow a vegan enough food for a whole day. Read more here:  http://bit.ly/cHxEqT

Video:  http://bit.ly/9sk4N5

I will focus future blog posts on ideas, strategies on transitioning to a more plant-based / vegetarian diet.  I believe that is what we all need to hear.

We can debate, discuss, analyze this topic to death – but I think we have all the proof we need.

If you already are vegetarian or vegan, or transitioning to a more plant-based diet what is important for those who want to eat less meat/dairy , to consider?

I find that the best way to start eating more vegetarian food, is to simply be around people who share the same concerns and values about the health of people and of this planet.

Cook.  Share creative ways to cook veggies and make soups and quick vegetarian lunch ideas.  Start with one meal a day that is completely vegetarian.   Discuss your concerns.  Tell other people of your progress.  Spread  your enthusiasm to your friends and family.  Wow them with an amazing dish for Thanksgiving, a potluck or Christmas.  Talk about the issues.  Heathcare, self-care.  Climate change and the impact of the livestock industry.  We have all the proof we need…

MP Edward McMillan-Scott, Vice President of the European Union decided to go vegetarian because of the impact of meat production on global warming. In December, he invited Paul McCartney to speak at the EU, along with the Chair of the Intergov. Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri. 

EP President Jerzy Buzek urged everyone “to act globally to face global challenges, but not to ignore what we do at home,” when opening the “Less meat=less heat” hearing on 3 December. The idea of one meat-free day a week was highlighted as a way for an individual to make a difference to global warming. “It is very doable,” said Sir Paul McCartney, the protagonist behind the campaign.

Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN’s global climate change panel (IPCC), also publicy backed the Meat Free Monday campaign in front of the European Parliament in Brussels.

More…

Listen to Paul McCartney’s speech

Support Meat Free Monday on Facebook and Twitter!

In a recent ABC News Interview, Al Gore was asked about Glen Beck’s insistence for him to become vegetarian, if he truly wanted to fight global warming.

Gore’s response:  ”I’m not a vegetarian, but I have cut back sharply on the meat that I eat,” he said. “It’s absolutely correct that the growing meat intensity of diets around the world is one of the issues connected to this global crisis – not only because of the CO2 involved, but also because of the water consumed in the process.”

Glen Beck has invited PETA on his show numerous times, in an attempt to embarrass Gore and climate change activists at their own game.

Here is Glen Beck with PETA President Ingrid Newkirk last week:

Thankfully most people don’t see the world in the black & white goggles which Beck wears.  Anyone can make a significant difference in their carbon footprint with just a small reduction in their diet.  The first step and acknowledgement is most important.  Whether someone becomes vegetarian or vegan is a whole other challenge and process.  Fortunately there are plenty of organizations and online resources/recipes to help you get started!

Read the article by Ecorazzi

The organizations include:  Humane Society of the United States, Association of Irritated Residents, Center on Race Poverty and the Environment, Clean Air Task Force, Dairy Education Alliance, El Comité para el Bienestar de Earlimart, Environmental Integrity Project, Friends of the Earth and Waterkeeper Alliance.

The 69-page petition provides detailed scientific and legal information about the significant emissions of methane and nitrous oxide—two greenhouse gases—as well as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia from factory farms, and how all of these pollutants have been shown to have negative effects on human health and welfare, including adverse effects on climate and the environment in the United States.

Read more…

Quotes:

“Unregulated air pollution from massive factory farms has a devastating impact on human health and the environment,” says Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president and chief counsel for Animal Protection Litigation and Research at The HSUS. “The EPA should hold these big agribusiness corporations accountable for the enormous harm they are inflicting on local communities, independent family farmers, and the environment.”

“Our lungs and the future of our planet are not animal factory subsidies,” said Tom Fratz, president of the Association of Irritated Residents and a resident of the San Joaquin Valley, an air basin in California with more than 2.6 million dairy cows. “President Obama promised us during the election that he would protect rural residents from this pollution and we expect EPA to keep that promise.”

“Hog lots and other factory farms aren’t just stinky, they’re also destabilizing our climate,” said Kate McMahon of Friends of the Earth. “The EPA has a legal obligation to protect the public by cracking down on this economic and public health threat – a threat that has yet to be addressed by climate legislation pending in Congress.”

“The people who live in the communities devastated by unregulated air pollution from animal factories deserve protection” said Charlie Tebbutt of the Western Environmental Law Center and co-chair of the Dairy Education Alliance. “Implementing this petition will get animal factories into the Clean Air Act process and give communities better opportunities to protect themselves.”

“Through global warming and deposition, the toxic emissions from industrial animal operations have profoundly impacted our water resources” said Hannah Connor of Waterkeeper Alliance. “By actively regulating the emissions from this industry, EPA will be taking a positive step towards protecting and enhancing not only the quality of our Nation’s air resources, but also the quality of our Nation’s water resources, and the public health and welfare of our communities.”