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: 304

▶ 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

Targeting weeds on oil and gas sites

The new Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act will provide the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) with the ability to hold companies accountable for controlling weeds and agricultural pests on their sites. For sites that do not have a responsible owner, the Orphan Well Association will be responsible for conducting required weed and pest control. Under the regulation, the AER now has the authority to enforce the requirement that oil and gas companies conduct weed or pest control. Municipal weed inspectors will be able to notify the AER and trigger compliance activity. The regulator can then take steps under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act and use tools available in the Responsible Energy Development Act to direct companies to conduct the necessary weed and pest control as part of the “reasonable care and measures” requirements under the law. “Weed and pest control is an important issue for Alberta’s farmers that previous governments failed to addres

Strychnine Emergency Use Registration: Minister Sigurdson

“I am pleased that the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has accepted Alberta and Saskatchewan’s re-submission for emergency use registration for two per cent liquid strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel control. We heard concerns from farmers and ranchers across the prairies and successfully advocated on their behalf for the federal government to reverse its decision. “This decision means that many prairie farmers will have another tool back in their toolbox for gopher control. Alberta’s producers have faced significant challenges managing Richardson’s ground squirrels and the loss of this effective control method has been difficult and costly for many in the agriculture sector. Some of Alberta’s producers saw thousands of dollars in crop and pasture damage last year alone, and many faced livestock injuries and equipment damage. “I’d like to thank Premier Danielle Smith for her advocacy directly to Prime Minister Carney. Ensuring we have open lines of communicat

Southeastern Manitoba farmers face soaring fuel, fertilizer prices caused by Midde East war

Southeastern Manitoba farmers are facing extra strain ahead of the spring planting season as fertilizer and fuel prices surge due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Randolph-based farmer Kevin Peters is watching the price turmoil closely. He plants rye, canola, wheat, soybeans, corn and sunflowers on his 7,500 acres. Peters locked in pricing for his year-long fertilizer supply in November and considers himself lucky. “There’s always concern about geopolitical issues.” he told The Carillon. “Whether it has to do with trade or, in this case, fertilizer supply…it can really affect imports and exports for a lot of things.” The United States and Israeli attacks on Iran began Feb. 28, striking multiple targets throughout the middle eastern nation and killing its Supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian military personnel retaliated, launching missiles and drones at neighbouring nations and vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which flows between Oman, the United Arab Emir

‘Engage urban kids on agricultural activities’: Aggie Days underway in Lethbridge

Aggie Days has returned to the Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre after a seven-year hiatus. The educational event is designed to connect students in Grades 4 to 6 with agricultural and world of farming. “We’re trying to engage urban kids on agricultural activities,” said Cody McIntosh, Lethbridge and District Agricultural Society (LDAS) director. “What’s happening around them - so when they’re driving down the road and they see a crop out there, they know what it is, what it’s used for and that it’s actually processed here in Lethbridge and southern Alberta.” This is the first year Aggie Days has been held since 2019. The event is being put on by the LDAS in partnership with Agriculture for Life. “It’s an interactive event where we can have the students come together and learn together and experience it as a large group, which is always a different dynamic,” said Luree Williamson, Agriculture for Life CEO.

Alberta Crop and Livestock Producers Welcome Emergency Authorization of Strychnine

Alberta crop and livestock producer organizations are welcoming the Government of Alberta’s success in securing an emergency use registration of strychnine to help manage Richardson Ground Squirrels. This authorization provides an important and immediate tool for producers facing increasing infestations that threaten pasture, rangeland, and cropland across the province. Left unmanaged, ground squirrels can cause significant economic damage and undermine the productivity of farms and ranches that rural communities depend on. With no viable, scalable alternatives currently available, this authorization is critical for producers dealing with widespread infestations. Strychnine remains the only proven tool that can be effectively deployed at the scale required in severe situations. This outcome reflects sustained advocacy from Alberta’s agricultural sector and strong leadership from the provincial government. The efforts of Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson, alongside

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service