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: 312

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

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."
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.
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

Unmatched, Unbeatable: TELUS Rewards earns global loyalty award recognition and unveils massive program enhancements

TELUS Rewards is setting a new standard for customer loyalty with major new enhancements that give Canadians more benefits, more savings, and more everyday value. Starting today, every TELUS Rewards member gains access to an expanded suite of health, travel, entertainment and lifestyle perks worth more than $400 in annual value -- simply for being a TELUS customer. This commitment to member value has earned TELUS Rewards global recognition, with three first-place honours at the 2026 Loyalty360 Awards, including the 360-Degree Brand Award. The expanded lineup of exclusive benefits now available to all members include: New TELUS Perks: Complimentary access to a virtual counselling session through TELUS Health MyCare (valued at up to $120), plus a complimentary veterinary consultation through TELUS Health MyPet (a $40 annual value) -- making it easier for members to access trusted support and care for themselves and their pets. New Partner Perks: Everyday savings through new partnerships

Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program Reveals 2026 Semi-Finalists

Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) is pleased to announce the semi-finalists for the upcoming 2026–2027 program year. Established by the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) in 2010, the Canadian CYL Program welcomes young people ages 18–35 from across Canada involved in all areas of the beef supply chain. The program aims to build the next generation of industry leaders by providing unique mentorship, training, and professional and personal development opportunities in the Canadian beef industry. With impressive submissions from youth across the country, our judging panel had a tough task of selecting this year’s semi-finalists. Applications are available annually from early January to the end of March on the Canadian CYL Program website. Semi-finalists will be invited to attend the annual Selections Competition in August which will be held this year in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg, MB. The semi-finalists will participate in judged roundtable dis

EMILI to trial smart spore detection, early disease warning on Manitoba potato farm (Manitoba Cooperator)

A recent Manitoba Cooperator article highlights one of the projects taking place on EMILI’s Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert. Potato diseases can move quickly when field conditions line up to favour infection, so when ag tech accelerator EMILI approached Sheldon Wiebe about what technology might help at his MacGregor, Man., potato farm, he didn’t hesitate. “Early disease detection was at the top of our list,” said Wiebe, president and co-owner of J.P. Wiebe Ltd. His suggestion led EMILI’s Innovation Farms team to BioScout, an Australian-developed system that monitors airborne spores and uses artificial intelligence to help identify disease risk before symptoms are visible in the field. Leanne Koroscil, EMILI’s Innovation Farms manager, described the system as “like a microscope in a field.”

New report highlights five actions to drive agriculture innovation

“Digital tools are already revolutionizing the way food is being produced worldwide, including here at home,” said EMILI Manager, Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Kyle Volpi Hiebert. “That leaves Canada with a stark choice: actively shape and accelerate this transition, or risk falling behind peers who move more decisively.” At a Digital Crossroads follows a 2025 report produced by CAPI and EMILI undertaken to assess the state of digital agriculture in Canada and common barriers to on-farm adoption of new technologies. This new report builds off that work by expanding its scope to identify how gains in primary production will only translate into stronger performance if they are matched by increased digital capacity in processing and throughout the broader supply chain. “Global and regional uncertainty are now an entrenched feature of the operating environment for the Canadian agri-food industry,” said Volpi Hiebert. “We hope this work can contribute insights to inform importa

New cabinet members focused on what matters

These changes will ensure cabinet is prepared to continue advancing Alberta’s agenda of economic growth, stronger health care, safer communities and affordability for families. The updated cabinet includes both experienced and newly appointed ministers who will continue delivering on the priorities that matter most to Albertans, including growing the economy, strengthening front-line services, keeping communities safe and supporting Alberta families. “Albertans expect their government to stay focused on the issues that matter most in their daily lives. This cabinet will continue working to strengthen our economy, improve services, support safe communities and ensure Alberta remains the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.” Danielle Smith, Premier Members taking on new roles include: Minister of Affordability and Utilities, RJ Sigurdson Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Tara Sawyer Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, Nathan Neudorf Minister of Ho

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service