Livestock: major contribution to Global Warming

I have come across a 409 page report that I think shows some interesting numbers and points out something obvious, but yet not much people think about it. LIVESTOCK. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Livestock industry is generating 18 percent (in CO2 equivalent) of greenhouse gases, this is more than the transport industry! This is due to the other gases Methane and Nitrous Oxide that are contributing to the greenhouse gas effect. Nitrous Oxide is a greenhouse gas that has 296 times the Global Warming potential of C02, and this comes from manure. Methane (23 times as warming as C02) is also a greenhouse gas that is released in the atmosphere from ruminants.

A ruminant is any hoofed animal that digests its food in two steps, first by eating the raw material and regurgitating a semi-digested form known as cud, then eating the cud, a process called ruminating. Ruminants include cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, deer, wildebeest, and antelope.

Water is going to be the resource to compete for in the near future. With livestock accounting for 20 percent of biomass on earth, providing food and water for the world will become an ever increasing task.

The global population is reaching the tipping point of having too many people on it. The implications of global warming and the population explosion we are currently experiencing will ultimately result in world-wide disaster. It seems to me that we are already at the point of no return in terms of being able to curb global warming. The Kyoto protocol is fine and dandy, but will ultimately do very little to stop the devastating effects that are to come in the near future.

(Advertise Here)

JT (423 Posts)

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world. Follow @EnvironmentBlog

Subscribe to our Mailing List

Keep up to date with all that we do at The Environmental Blog. We are always trying to get the best environmental stories, news, and views that you want to read about. So why not stay in touch?

Reasons to JOIN US include:

• It's absolutely FREE!
• Get Green Tips You MUST know about.
• How to's on going green, saving money, and having fun.
• Keep up-to-date on our posts in cased you missed them.

Your Name:
Your Email:

Your privacy will never be compromised

You Might Like: