Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Cowgate: Animal Agriculture Not a Major Contributor to Global Warming. Any Comments?

From the Washington Post.

 

Forget all that indecorous talk of animal flatulence, cow burps, vegetarianism and global warming. Welcome to Cowgate.

Lower consumption of meat and dairy products will not have a major impact in combating global warming — despite persistent claims that link such diets to more greenhouse gases. So says a report presented Monday before the American Chemical Society.

It is the bovine version of Climategate, complete with faulty science and noisy activists with big agendas.

Cows and pigs have gotten a "bum rap," said Frank Mitloehner, an air quality expert at the University of California at Davis who authored the report. He is plenty critical of scientists and vegetarian activists such as Paul McCartney who insist that livestock account for about a fifth of all greenhouse-gas emissions.

He also is critical of highly-publicized campaigns that call for "meatless Mondays" or push the motto "Less Meat = Less Heat," a European campaign launched in December during the Copenhagen climate summit. Talk of pricey air pollution permits of a "cow tax" for already cash-strapped farmers has surfaced in the U.S. and abroad.

 
Click here to read the whole story on the Washington Post website...

Views: 285

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joann on April 8, 2010 at 2:24am
It just proves once again, that the populace are being herded like a school of fish with an aquarium mind-set.

The UN clearly is focused on shifting the global wealth and has patently found the argument of "climate change" as an easily accepted vehicle that most people can readily buy into. The global warming debate lends a level of empowerment to the average citizen. We are now demanding lifestyle changes without the benefit of global "truths" such as "Producing less meat and milk will only mean more hunger in poor countries." .

How can government turn down demands from their majority of citizens?

Another good article can be found at (24 March 2010)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8583308.stm
"Dr Mitloehner contends that in developed societies such as the US - where transport emissions account for about 26% of the national total, compared with 3% for pig- and cattle-rearing - meat is the wrong target in efforts to reduce carbon emissions."
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on April 8, 2010 at 3:09pm
From London's Science Museum:
" The scientific community has, with some exceptions, concluded that climate change is real, largely driven by humans and requires a response," said the museum's director Professor Chris Rapley. "Our objective is to minimise the shrill tone and emotion that bedevils discussion of this subject."

with that being said... Let's get on with life and enjoy the upcoming BBQ season.
Permalink Reply by Arik Theijsmeijer on April 9, 2010 at 2:21am
Just a note that emissions from animal agriculture are not just about bodily emissions from the animals themselves, more important is the energy and water expended in growing and transporting grain for those animals. So while the criticism of the UN in report is sound, it is not at all the point of that report. The point of the report still stands, in that reducing the consumption of grain-fed meat overall leads to significantly lower emmissions. Carbon is actually sequestered in grass-fed methods so it is the grain that matters.

It's also important to note that you can just focus on any one sector, like transportation or agriculture, as we have consider the environment in all major aspects of our lives in order to do what it takes to reduce the serious impact of climate change. Finally, to take the UN's mistake and speculate about what either global food policy or individual choices should be as Mr. Mitloehner does in the longer versio of the article, is not his role and is beyond his expertise and his work, as various commentors have stated since this 'sensational' story broke.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Showcasing Alberta in the Middle East

Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 to promote Alberta as a global leader in responsible energy production and competitive destination for investment in energy, technology, agriculture and manufacturing. While in Saudi Arabia, Premier Danielle Smith will meet with government leaders in the energy and health sectors and leaders managing sovereign wealth investments, as well as the oil industry, including executives from Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil companies in the world. In the energy meetings, the Premier will showcase how Alberta’s traditional and emerging energy resources, emissions-management expertise and technology leadership can help drive can drive energy security and reliability in global markets. The Premier will also promote Alberta as a competitive destination for investment across a range of sectors. The Premier will travel to the United Arab Emirates to join Alberta’s Minister of Jobs,

Beef Beyond Borders

Canada’s beef industry is built on exports. In 2024, Canada exported 550,000 metric tonnes of cattle and beef (net of imports). Most of Canada’s exports (75% of export volume and 79% of export value) went to the US because it’s right next door, our products are similar and American and Canadian consumers have comparable quality preferences and expectations. Japan was Canada’s second largest export market (9% of volume and 7% of value). Japan primarily buys brisket, flank/plate, chuck and rib from Canada. The “rib” primal is home to the ribeye steak, which is one of the most highly marbled and high-quality cuts. But “highly marbled” and “high-quality” are subjective terms! Anyone who has seen or tasted Japanese Wagyu beef knows that it is much more highly marbled than Canadian beef. The difference in marbling between Canadian and Japanese beef is partly due to genetics. Japanese Black cattle raised for Wagyu beef in Japan deposit more marbling than the beef breeds traditionally used i

Rooted in adventure, Alberta agri-tours grow

Over the past year through Travel Alberta’s investment program, $1.7 million has supported new and expanded agri-tourism experiences across Alberta. From farm-to-table dinners to ranch stays and corn mazes, these projects are giving visitors more ways to experience Alberta’s rural roots and support local communities. “By supporting agricultural-based businesses and operators, we are helping showcase Alberta’s small businesses and farms to the world, while boosting the local economy and creating jobs across the province.” Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport These investments are driving jobs and growth in rural communities and helping reach Alberta’s goal of growing the visitor economy to $25 billion annually by 2035. Support continues for Alberta Open Farm Days through the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies, helping connect Albertans and visitors with the farmers and producers who put food on their tables. The event has also become a catalyst for expanding foo

Kinew says drop tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to get Chinese duties dropped

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is asking the prime minister to scrap Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in return for China lifting its tariffs on Canadian canola and pork. Kinew says in a letter to Mark Carney on Saturday that while he believes protecting Canada’s vehicle industry is important, he says the country’s approach “has created a two-front trade war that disproportionally affects Western Canada.” The premier says in the letter that China’s tariffs — widely seen as a response to Canada imposing the electric vehicle levy — have already caused a sharp drop in canola prices and that one vertically integrated pork producer in Manitoba is reporting a $19 million negative impact on an annual basis. Canada imposed the electric vehicle duty last year in lockstep with the United States, which also has a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, with Canada arguing the measure is meant to protect the country’s automobile industry.  Saskatchewan Premier Sc

Saskatchewan legislators spar over motion calling on Ottawa to remove EV tariff

Saskatchewan politicians levelled accusations of preening and reckless behaviour as they debated China’s punishing tariffs on Canadian canola in the legislature Thursday.  The furor was over the Saskatchewan Party government changing an Opposition NDP motion, which called on the federal government to remove its 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and restore market access for Canadian agriculture products.  Premier Scott Moe’s caucus struck out the NDP’s wording and added their own version that called for the same thing. His caucus also added a line commending Moe’s leadership on the file. The motion passed with the Saskatchewan Party majority voting in favour, while the NDP voted against.    New Democrats said the motion’s congratulatory wording of the premier was pompous and arrogant.   “They’re making it all about themselves and trying to fluff the feathers of the premier … at a time where we need to have the backs of producers,” Trent Wotherspoon, the party’s depu

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service