As previously reported here, last year’s report from the UN International Panel on Climate Change was pretty clear, if subtle, about the idea that livestock production was a major factor in production of greenhouse gasses, and that reducing or eliminating your consumption of such products was one of the best ways you can contribute to positive change for the environment.
Now, Agence France Presse is reporting (link via Google News)Â that the head of that panel is again stressing the connection, and trying to be more explicit:
“This is something that the IPCC was afraid to say earlier, but now we have said it.”
A vegetarian, the Indian economist made a plea for people around the world to tame their carnivorous impulses.
“Please eat less meat — meat is a very carbon intensive commodity,” he said, adding that consuming large quantities was also bad for one’s health.
Studies have shown that producing one kilo (2.2 pounds) of meat causes the emissions equivalent of 36.4 kilos of carbon dioxide.
In addition, raising and transporting that slab of beef, lamb or pork requires the same amount of energy as lighting a 100-watt bulb for nearly three weeks.
If only he could get that guy next to him to pay a bit more attention to that part of the lecture . . .