Vegetarianism and Climate Change

The report from Worldwatch Institute shows that livestock raising is responsible for at least 51 percent of global warming.* A Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency report showed that global shift to vegan diet could cut climate change mitigation costs by 80% * According to the UN report “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” livestock production is the greatest contributor to global warming.* Animal waste and feed cropland dump more pollutants into our waterways than all other human activities combined.  Meat-based diets require 10-20 times as much land as plant-based diets – nearly half of the world's grains & soybeans are fed to animals.

Proportion of GHG emissions from different parts of livestock production Livestock production emissions: 18% Global Transportation emissions: 13.5% 18% of all greenhouse-gas emissions from human activities, including: 9% of CO2  37% of CH4(methane) - 23 times the Global Warming Potential of CO2 over 100 years, 72 times over 20 years 65% of N2O (nitrous oxide) -296 times the Global Warming Potential of CO2 over 100 years, 275 over 20 years  Source: FAO, 2006 (1) Text | Videos

Producing 1kg beef: Leads to the emission of greenhouse gases with a warming potential equivalent to 36.4 kg of CO2 .  Releases fertilising compounds equivalent to 340 g. of sulphur dioxide and 59 g. of phosphate. Consumes 169 megajoules of energy .  1 kg of beef is responsible for the equivalent of the amount of CO2 emitted by the average European car every 250 km, and burns enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 20 days.  Over two-thirds of the energy goes towards producing and transporting the animals' feed. Source: Animal Science Journal, 2007

" the permafrost layer is melting each day. And the methane gas,or other gas even, are releasing into the atmosphere. I really hope and pray that someone is listening.Methane and nitrous oxide is made by stock raising, stock keeping, animals keeping. So they are far more poisonous, far more dangerous than CO2. Because the atmosphere is getting warmer and so the methane is bubbling out. If we stop the worst cause of global warming,meaning stock raising, animal breeding,then we will be able to save the planet. We have to stop the killing of man or animals. We have to stop producing animals products. And we have to stop using it." - Supreme Master Ching Hai - 6 July 2008– London Conference (2) 30 Meat and Global Warming:Uncovering Truths to Save the Planet Part 1 Part 2 29 Livestock generates over half of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions - Worldwatch Report 28 Vegan: The Fastest Way to a Cooler Planet Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 27 Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri-Global Warning: The Impact of Meat Production and Consumption on Climate Change Part 1 Part 2 26 Livestock contributes more to climate change than previous estimates. 25 Climate benefits of changing diet :PBL study 24 Save The Human! "Don't Eat The Planet" Music Video 23 The Link Between Meat Eating and Climate Change 22 Overfishing threatens ocean survival. - 7 Dec 2008 21 Global Warming & Us: A Fork in the Road? 20 Climate Change AD - Extreme Rise in Dangerous Methane 19 Professor Barry Brook on Livestock Agriculture and Climate Change 18 Dietary Impacts on the Climate: An Interview with Journalist Geoff Russell 17 Meat must be rationed to four portions a week, says report on climate change 16 Eat less meat to fight climate change: UN expert 15 Environment Statement from the IVU council 14 Eat less beef and help the planet, G8 is told 13 Final Report: Putting Meat on The Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America 12 Dr. Rajendra Pachauri,Chief of UN IPCC on a Win-Win Situation for the Planet: Go Vegetarian! 11 Introducing a Climate Friendly Diet: An Interview with Dr. Annika Carlsson-Kanyama 10 Environmental Implications of Modern Animal Agriculture: Save the Planet with your Fork 9 The way that we breed animals for food is a threat to the planet 8 Vegetarianism - The Way of Compassion 7 How Environmentalists are Overlooking Vegetarianism as the Most Effective Tool Against Climate Change in Our Lifetimes by Noam Mohr 6 Vegetarian is the New Prius 5 Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change 4 New Research Suggests What You Eat as Important as What You Drive 3 Lifestyle changes can curb climate change: IPCC chief 2 How to Go Green - Vegetarian Style 1 Livestock a major threat to environment