BBC: UN body to look at meat and climate link

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8583308.stm

Page last updated at 00:15 GMT, Wednesday, 24 March 2010

UN body to look at meat and climate link

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

UN specialists are to look again at the contribution of meat production to climate change, after claims that an earlier report exaggerated the link.

A 2006 report concluded meat production was responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions - more than transport.

The report has been cited by people campaigning for a more vegetable-based diet, including Sir Paul McCartney.

But a new analysis, presented at a major US science meeting, says the transport comparison was flawed.

Sir Paul was one of the figures launching a campaign late last year centred on the slogan "Less meat = less heat".

...

See also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=237925&mesg_id=237925

[veganlush]

1. It's still the biggest single thing (switching to a plant based diet)

that individuals can do to make things better on many fronts...as pointed out in the documentary FOOD,INC.,a movie which is not preachy at all but very illuminating.

[Lorien]

2. I finally made the switch to a mostly vegan diet, and I feel much better!

My doctors all encouraged me to do it. I was on that path anyway; the more I learned about factory farming the more I couldn't stomach it. I gave up mammals 16 years ago but still ate free range poultry and dairy. Then when I learned more about the impact of meat and dairy consumption on my planet I knew that I had to give the rest up as well. My doctors also felt that a mostly vegan diet (I still eat eggs) would help with my hypothyroid disease, since the hormones in meat and dairy mess up the body's hormonal systems. Naturally I can't eat soy either so finding protein alternatives isn't easy, but I'm doing it. My vegan friends told me that I wouldn't really miss meat and dairy after a while, and they were right!

[veganlush]

10. awesome! yes I quit meat in '87 after reading...

.."Diet For A New America" by heir apparent of the Baskin/Robbins ice cream fortune John Robbins, who turned down the family business in favor of an animal free lifestyle. In '04 I adopted the vegan lifestyle because of mostly animal rights concerns especially factory farming. The short hand version of it is that pigs are similar to dogs in their personalities, yet we pamper dogs and acknowledge their ability to feel fear, loneliness, happiness,etc. while we have no problem subjecting pigs to a miserable existence in factory farms.

Giving up animal products has brought down my cholesterol, my weight and my blood pressure. I have two daughters who have never had meat and so, of course don't miss it. If they choose to start eating meat when they leave the nest that's their choice but both are very happy with the healthy foods they were raised on and both are animal lovers. I don't go out of my way to bring it up, because some people get very defensive when you do, but I don't shy away either because I think it's an important way for us as individuals to make an impact on our health, the animal's welfare, the planet, etc.. simply by making healthier food choices.

I believe AMY's frozen foods (burgers, enchiladas, chili's, etc..) are soy free, or at least some of them are. There are more soy-free alternatives coming every day. Congratulations and good luck!

[customerserviceguy]

3. The question is

will this be used to force some people's religious beliefs on others?

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. That seems unlikely

There are numerous arguments that have been made in favor of abstaining from meat.

The climate (greenhouse gas) link has already been made for years, and I didn't notice it being used to force vegetarianism on anyone.

Now, we have a study which questions the strength of that link. When the link is reexamined, either the climate link will be supported, or it will be weakened.

In either case I don't think anyone's "religious beliefs" will be forced on others.

[customerserviceguy]

5. May I restate the question?

Do you think that this and other 'studies', if they more firmly establish that link, will be used to outlaw the raising and consumption of meat animals, which happens to be a goal of people with a moral or philosophical bent towards establishing that situation?

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. No, I don't

As I said, the link had already been made, and the laws you fear were not passed.

Assuming that the most recent study is found to be invalid, that would simply represent a restoration of the status quo.

[customerserviceguy]

7. Okay, thanks

But, you have to acknowledge, if there are choices that are going to be made to deal with global warming, imposed veganism might be on the table, along with a number of other options that might prove to be politically unpalatable.

[patrice]

8. What would be the mechanism by which that would happen, i.e. HOW could meat become un - Lawful?

Who would write such a law? Who would enforce it?

No, I rather imagine that such a vegetarian thing would become PART of the market forces that have for soooooooooooooooo long been bia$$$$$$$$$ed toward meat, in the same manner in which meat achieved its FAVORED status.

[customerserviceguy]

13. Look at the history of Prohibition in this country

An entire nation inserted into it's Constitution the banning of a substance, then spent a lot of time, effort and money trying to enforce it. Of course, we see how that all worked out, but it didn't stop the "righteous" from trying, and it won't stop the next group on a crusade to ban something that they don't want other people having.

You have a point, we may get to the place where little meat is sold in the biggest cities, but meat-eating will still be a large part of the rural experience. It will be interesting when the city dwellers try to enforce their 'enlightened' status on the bumpkins.

[JohnWxy]

9. REcommended.

[Chulanowa]

11. Anything to avoid mention that it's cars and industry

baby steps! Little tiny baby steps!

[truedelphi]

12. Why are they after beef and other forms of animal meat?

I live in a county where the forests are being killed off - not for the pleasure of the small dairy farmer, who actually looks to be (in this area at least) a good steward of the land.

Deforestation would be opposed, except here in Northern California it is called "vineyard creation."

For every acre of land converted to vines, we lose: owls, skinks, skunks, deer, hawk, eagles, mice, coyotes, fox, rabbits, cougars, and on and on.

While the farmer's meadow supports these animals.

Another thing that's rarely mentioned by the "Cattle are bad" crowd is that many times, cattle are put on land that will not support any crops as it has been over farmed in the past. Then the cows' manure builds up the soil's fertility. But that issue is not discussed.

Nor is another issue discussed as to one of the two top causes of environmental degradation:

1) war

2) the convoys of air tankers spraying our skies