Of Meat and Global Warming

by
posted on December 16, 2009
20091216-cow-final_f.gif

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s president, recently said, “A tax on meat would help prevent future global-warming-related natural disasters by encouraging a decrease in meat consumption.” Yeah that’s right, Newkirk wants a sin tax on meat and her rationale is climate change.

She’s not alone either. Many environmental groups say eating meat results in more global-warming-causing emissions than all our trains, planes and automobiles combined—Al Gore’s private jet included. The main reason is methane emissions from livestock—yes, belches and farts—which they say is 18 times worse than vehicle exhaust. How they came up with that figure is hard to determine, as is how they measured cattle flatulence.

However, we do know the assertion that meat eating causes global warming is based on a report titled “Livestock’s Long Shadow” by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FOA). You can read the 377-page attack on farming and ranching here. The report was produced with support from—those purveyors of wisdom—the World Bank and the European Union. It concluded that 18 percent of global-warming emissions comes from the livestock industry—transportation’s portion, the FOA concluded, is 13 percent.

So they’re postulating how much gas cows pass to argue that we all must become vegetarians for the planet’s sake.Newkirk has even called on Al Gore to give up being an omnivore.

But then Newkirk’s stance highlights her own hypocritical contradictions; for example, if global warming is real and meat eating is really its No. 1 cause, then wouldn’t PETA (a group that is virulently anti-hunting) have to acknowledge that hunting (which game managers use to control populations of methane-emitting elk, deer, bighorns … .) is reducing global-warming? Wouldn’t it also be true that when hunters eat wild game they are not consuming commercially raised livestock? So shouldn’t PETA applaud this double-whammy curb on animal methane?

After all, ending hunting would mean having uncontrolled populations of game animals. And there’s always the pesky fact that if deer and other game populations are left unchecked they would continue reproducing until farmers’ crops were nothing more than deer food. And while we're at it, shouldn’t we also consider the carbon footprint of our game populations; for example, what about the American bison? Did killing off the buffalo in the 19th century contribute to global cooling?

Newkirk, we await your response to these critical questions.

While we wait, we’ll keep looking for honest ways to benefit our environment, such as encouraging farmers and ranchers to continue working with hunters so they continue being the environmental stewards they’ve become in America.

Latest

Ledehenry SPD HUSH
Ledehenry SPD HUSH

Henry Repeating Arms Launches HUSH Series Optimized for Suppressor Use

Henry Repeating Arms has officially introduced the HUSH Series. This new line of suppressor-optimized lever-action rifle is the debut release from the company’s Special Products Division (SPD), a new R&D initiative focused on forward-thinking innovation.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Treestands

This latest Member's Hunt comes from Erin Prajzner of Glen Rock, Pa.

New for 2025: Zeiss SFL 50 Binocular

Zeiss has presented its all-new SFL 50 binocular, an extension of the company's SFL family of binocular. It combines the optical performance of a 50 mm binocular, with the size and weight category of competitors’ 42mm frame sizes.

New for 2025: Savage AC30 B.O.B. AccuCan Suppressor

Savage introduces the AC30 B.O.B. (Back Over Barrel) suppressor, a great option for those looking to enhance balance and reduce overall firearm length while shooting suppressed.

First Look: Barnes Harvest Collection Ammunition

Barnes has debuted its Harvest Collection line of ammunition, targeted squarely at American whitetail hunters. Topped with the venerable Sierra Tipped GameKing (TGK) bullet, Barnes Harvest Collection is designed for maximal lethality on thin-skinned game, combining near match-grade accuracy with impressive terminal performance.

First Look: BANISH 30-V2

New from Banish Suppressors, the Banish 30-V2 is an upgraded version of the company’s popular Banish 30 suppressor that is shorter, lighter, quieter and more versatile than ever.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.