Just in time for Earth Day observance, a study published in last week’s Environmental Research Letters warns that animal manure and fertilizers used in growing animal feed emit large amounts of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. An op-ed piece in this week’s New York Times warns that the devastating environmental impacts of a meat-based diet are actually magnified when raising animals on the range, because this involves much more land and more greenhouse gas emissions.
These conclusions are in keeping with an extensive United Nations Environment Program’s report, which drew on dozens of smaller studies. The highly respected report concluded that agricultural production accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater use, 38 percent of land use and 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
In an environmentally sustainable world, meat and dairy products must be replaced by vegetables, fruits, and grains, just as fossil fuels must be replaced by wind, solar, and other pollution-free energy sources. As the world’s most conspicuous consumers, we have a special obligation to lead in pursuing an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Our next trip to the supermarket is a great starting point.
David Rich
Mesa
Mike1200 posted at 11:28 am on Mon, Apr 30, 2012.
You are missing the whole point on the light bulbs. The problem for me is that they are taking another option away from the public, and forcing us to buy what they say we should, all for the hoax that is GW. These replacement bulbs aren’t cheap either, not to mention what we have discussed before about the mercury etc. I happen to like the clear 40 and 60 watt bulbs and you better believe I’m stocking up on them.
As for the GW/climate change hoax. This planet has gone through climate changes before without the evil fossil fuels in the mix. Now all of a sudden they are saying its CO2 emitted by the fossil fuels that are causing the supposed changes. Mankind should be more worried about being wiped out by nuclear war than climate change. Sorry I don’t buy it, and a lot of other climate experts, etc don’t either. Have you ever heard the quote?
“The atmosphere of this planet is a highly chaotic system that is only poorly understood. So-called scientists who claim that they understand it and can model it are extremely ignorant, arrogant or probably both.”
Those models are a big part of what they base all of their doom and gloom scenarios on, and with that, they are trying to control more of our lives with all of their go green garbage, and I’m not playing their game.
fae4now posted at 8:16 am on Sat, Apr 28, 2012.
Mike,
The full sentence began with "In an environmentally sustainable world......." and he may be correct in his use of the word 'must' to achieve that goal. Time will tell. But unless Mr. Rich represents a powerful lobby or Superpac we needn't fear him forcing his will on us.
Light bulbs, well, they're like the horse and buggy or VCRs - inefficient and obsolete. Utility savings far outweigh upfront costs on CFLs and since the mercury concerns me I am considering (cringe at the cost) LEDs.
To be clear, I'm not trying to save the planet- it will be just fine. The question is whether or not it will continue to sustain HUMAN life. On our current path many scientists say no. Climate change is not a hoax. Our climate is indeed changing. The point of dispute is human contribution to that change.
Like you, I do what I can and look for ways to do more. What makes these conversations so unproductive is the assumptions, name calling and snarky comments that people jump to. Glance above.
For the record, I still eat meat. In fact I love to cook. Maybe we can all share steaks sometime! But I eat a lot less than I used to. My choice. Samkat called it right.
My next car might be a prius. For now I plan trips and don't waste resources.
Chat, my 'stinking planet' is yours too. I choose to be part of the solution. You?
Mike1200 posted at 7:45 pm on Thu, Apr 26, 2012.
Fae4now
Who is going over the edge? I’m just stating my feelings. I'm getting sick of the environmental extremists who keep coming up with all this garbage while working on controlling my life to “save the planet”. If you chose to pay higher prices for fancy bulbs, have bulbs with mercury in your home, drive around in your little Prius or Smart car, or eat meat only once a week then go for it but don’t tell me what to do for supposedly saving the planet. In case you haven’t heard they have already stopped manufacturing 100 watt incandescent bulbs and the other wattages will be stopped soon because of the climate change hoax.
You also need to read the article again. The person that wrote that letter specifically states meat and dairy products must be replaced by vegetables, fruits, and grains. He doesn’t say should be, he said must be, and the scary thing is there are a lot more people out there just like him, including you. If that doesn’t tell you their ultimate goal is to take away dairy and meat some day in the future you need to wake up.
samkat posted at 5:25 pm on Thu, Apr 26, 2012.
I am with you chat. While I have cut down on my red meat, my wife tried an all vegetable diet for a couple of weeks and we could not continue. I was about to starve. I suspect that most of the bloggers are not 100% practicing veggies.
chatmandu002 posted at 12:53 pm on Thu, Apr 26, 2012.
Go ahead tax me, restrict me and regulate me to help (maybe) save your stinking planet. But you will have to pry from my dead hand my half eaten steak. LOL
VofReason posted at 12:35 pm on Thu, Apr 26, 2012.
Nice. True stripes are showing on several commenter’s here. We knew they were liberal loony’s, but now we also know they are enviro, vegetarian liberal loony’s- the proverbial coupe de grace. Another point to be made here is that most people dismiss the UN as a liberal loony group that just wants the US to pay for their stuff. Additionally, most don't believe anything that comes out of it is "highly respected".
fae4now posted at 10:59 am on Thu, Apr 26, 2012.
RELAX Mike, no need to go over the edge here. ( why so angry?)
No one is taking anything away from you, telling you what to eat, drive or do. You still have choices. Shhhhh. There, there. Take a breath. ....... Feel better now?
Good. Then we can have an adult conversation.
If we can agree that humanity is having a negative impact on the climate, and I hope we can agree on that, then what is being offered are alternatives that we can choose to take advantage of if we like. For instance, I switched most of my bulbs to CFLs 4 or 5 years ago and saw an immediate reduction in my utility bill. They last longer too so I also enjoy sparing myself the inconvenience of changing bulbs. It seemed like the smart thing to do so I did it. No one made me do it.
Sooner or later we'll be forced to wean ourselves from oil because it is not renewable. We will simply run out so developing alternatives now also seems the smart thing to do and I applaud those who are taking the lead in that development.
I imagine that if each of the 300 million people in this country substituted eating meat for just one meal per week there would be a significant reduction in carbon footprint. So you eat meatless pasta one night. Is that really so extreme? Baby steps if you ask me. The meat you eat today isn't the same stuff you grew up on, by the way.
And if some people choose to take bigger steps, they are free to do so.
Nice talking with you. Have a great day.
Mike1200 posted at 10:11 pm on Wed, Apr 25, 2012.
You have got to be kidding. These environmental extremists are ruining this country with all their save the planet garbage. I have been drinking and eating dairy products and eating meat my whole life which has been 55 years so far. Now they are telling me those products should be taken away to save the planet, on top of what to drive (drive a prius & save the planet) thanks, but I'll stick with my chevy pickup, what light bulbs to use (switch to bulbs with mercury in them), what dishwasher soaps to use (soaps that don't clean the dishes), heck I have even seen articles from these people on what kind of dogs we should own, and how to reduce the dogs carbon paw print. I do what I can to help the environment but if they think I'm going to the extremes that these people are thinking, they are out of their minds. Furthermore if these people think I'm going to give up burgers, ice cream, cheese, etc you are going to have a big surprise coming.
fae4now posted at 1:04 pm on Wed, Apr 25, 2012.
Well said, Mr. Rich. The only point you didn't mention was the health benefit of a plant based diet but Cerulean had your back on that. Also well done.
Admittedly it's a somewhat difficult transition to make (from meat to plant/ grain) but worth it.
I seem to recall reading a study that concluded that a heavily meat based diet causes an increase in aggressive behaviors. Perhaps that explains L>E>O>N.
Cerulean posted at 9:08 pm on Tue, Apr 24, 2012.
I recently read an article that described when early human women ate meat while breast-feeding they shortened the suckling periods for their babies. This proved to be advantageous for many reasons. This could also be one reason that our species developed a taste for lots of fleshy meat.
Today with protein powders and every variety of supplements available to us – do we still need as much red meat in our diet? I have been reading for years about the ill effects of consuming even a small serving of red meat on a daily basis; cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And for goodness sake stay away from pink slime and all hamburger because you could get Mad Cow Disease – really.
So – you make a good point David Rich.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:10 pm on Tue, Apr 24, 2012.
GO TO BATHROOM > TURN ON LIGHT > OPEN MOUTH > LOOK AT TEETH.
Front teeth are.....INCISORS = KNIFE-LIKE... TO SLICE INTO FLESH (not carrots).
Side teeth are .....BICUSPIDS = SPEAR-LIKE...TO TEAR INTO FLESH (not tomatoes)
Back teeth are ....MOLARS = SHARP RIDGES...TO MASTICATE FLESH (not cucumbers).
NATURE (GOD) GAVE US A SET OF TEETH THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR EATING FLESH (MEAT).
IF NATURE WANTED US TO EAT NOTHING BUT GRAINS THEN WE WOULD HAVE TEETH LIKE COWS OR ELEPHANTS OR SHEEP............SORRY....TRY ANOTHER PLANET OR SOLAR SYSTEM .....GOOD LUCK [wink]