Hamburgers More Environmentally Harmful than SUV's

As is required of any good Conservative worth their salt, Mrs. G and I recently treated ourselves to a brand new SUV.  The purchase was met with scorn from many of my liberal friends.  Comments ranged from "You would get an SUV, why am I not surprised," to "Is having an SUV a requirement for voting in the Republican primary?"

Th e disdain is nothing new.  For years the liberal collective conscience has purported that SUV's pose one of the single greatest threats to the balance of the global environment.  But the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation has identified a new threat.  This threat, it seems, is more even dangerous than the evil SUV.  That threat is... Cows.

The report, Livestock's Long Shadow, explains that Livestock (including chicken, pigs, cows, etc) is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions; the same emissions that we are told cause global warming.  I can't attest to the accuracy of the report, but if correct, this means that Livestock are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined.

Granted, the study accounts for the entire livestock industry, not just emissions from animals.  This includes changes to terrain by and for livestock, emissions from the processes used to make fertilizer, transport live animals, process and transport meat, etc.

However, the study reveals that livestock flatulence and manure account for over one third of the world's methane emissions, which supposedly causes global warming 20 times faster than carbon dioxide.  They also produce over two-thirds of the worlds ammonia, one of the leading causes of acid rain.

The report recommends some pretty major modifications to the global livestock industry, and honestly, I'm not opposed to efforts make the processes used cleaner.  However, the report brings up a point that I share whenever someone asks me my opinion on global warming; there is so much we don't understand about the way our environment functions and the ways it is affected by human actions.  Please understand, I don't oppose efforts to make our industrial processes and travel cleaner.  I am opposed, however, the vilification of of anyone who doesn't drive a hybrid when, as science continues to show us, we have a minimal understanding of the factors influencing and the limits of our environment.  If you ask any random person to list the leading causes of greenhouse gases, very few are going to list cows, pigs, chickens, and goats.

So the next time you hear a liberal berate an SUV driver, ask them when was the last time that they ate chicken, beef, eggs, cheese or drank a glass of milk and inform them that they are contributing to almost a fifth of all greenhouse gases.  Then tell them that if they really want to "make a difference," then they need to eat as much beef, chicken, and pork as possible, and quickly... before it is too late!

And if the are a vegan, then I encourage you to give healthy consideration to who you are spending your time with.

Comments

[Steve Knight]

Ok, fair enough. Let's assume that the sheer vastness of the global livestock industry is more of a problem than emission standards (I'm actually inclined to agree with you on this). How many SUV drivers do you know that make a conscious effort to limit their consumption of meat? How many vegetarians (or flexitarians) do you know that also love to drive SUVs? My point is that the underlining problem to global pollution is caused by our own willingness to tolerate excess. A person who truly understands the importance of conservation knows that it begins with babysteps, but always... must ALWAYS be allowed to gain momentum. People are only adamant about maintaining their status quo because that is what they are comfortable with. We are always afraid of change even when that change can be for the better. Should SUVs be outlawed?... of course not. However, if a soccer mom wants to drive one for private use, her vehicle should be subject to the same standards as any other car in the driveway. It is well known that we Americans eat way more meat than we need to. We even celebrate it! Should we stop eating meat? No, but we should recognize the importance of moderation, especially when our craving is contributing to global problems. The world is NOT an all-you-can-eat buffet.