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May 8, 2007
So what’s the beef with climate?
Carbon is the primary culprit, contributing 70 percent of global greenhouse gases. But let’s not forget that ever-so-sly methane molecule (CH4) that boasts 21 times more global warming potential per ton than carbon, and is responsible for 23 percent of the atmospheric greenhouse effect.
Look no further than your Big Mac or your bowl of Rice Krispies to find some of the major sources of human induced methane pollution.
An average cow emits 6 percent of its energy in the form of methane gas—otherwise known as flatulence. All of the fart jokes in the world won’t change the fact that livestock produce more than a third of global methane emissions. In addition to CH4 pollution, beef production has led to deforestation in Central and South America for agricultural expansion, largely to feed the United States’ meaty appetite. This exacerbates cattle’s warming effects by slashing some of our biggest carbon sinks.
But before you get too excited about your vegan rice burgers, consider this: rice also emits a significant amount of methane, thanks to bacteria that live in waterlogged, anaerobic paddies. The little buggers decompose fertilizer and volatilize CH4.
What’s more is that the US government currently subsidizes many of the industries most responsible for agricultural methane. US rice received $10.5 billion in government subsidies between 1995 and 2005. Three of the primary livestock feed crops—corn, wheat, and soy—also receive massive subsidies.
Comments
vegan rice burger? aren´t they usually based on soy beans?
the link to 23 % says that CH4 is responsible for 23% of (antropogenically derived?) green house effect not 23% of the gases.
so CO2 is still the larger culprit.
so lets make some vegetarian burguer look-a-likes that does not aim to look or taste like hamburguers. that would benefit both us humans (at least our taste buds) and the environment.
Posted by: Johan | May 9, 2007 11:20 AM
As a long-standing vegetarian and past vegan, I completely agree.
Yes, most veggie burgers are soy based, but some people are allergic to soy and others simply prefer rice milk, rice burgers, etc. But I'm not exactly trying to blame rice-lovers for global warming. Certainly, much of the third world relies on rice as a primary food staple, and people in the developing world don't produce anywhere near the amount of greenhouse gases that US citizens do.
But we do need to recognize that our food consumption does have an impact. That said, there are certain rice cultivation practices that can reduce the amount of methane produced from paddies. Draining fields during the off season or relocating to areas that require less standing water will help to reduce methane emissions.
Posted by: Trina | May 9, 2007 11:47 AM
and let's not forget the desertification abusive grazing practices have on the land - (deforestation, carbon-de-sequestration, etc.)...
Posted by: be | May 9, 2007 6:52 PM