Spring Break
A Really Inconvenient Truth
There's no such thing as a meat-eating environmentalist
Jenny Palmer
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Opinion
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This summer, a volunteer knocked on my door on behalf of an environmental organization lobbying for better alternative energy policies. My mom answered the door, and after talking to the young man briefly and agreeing to sign his petition, she asked him if his organization did anything about meat. I guess he looked confused, because my mom hurriedly called me (the supposed expert) to explain.
"So," I asked, "Are you familiar with the link between meat-eating and global warming?"
"Umm, no," he answered hesitantly, not wanting to change topics from his rehearsed spiel.
"Oh, well, there was this UN report that said the livestock sector contributes more to global warming than the entire transportation sector," I began.
"Right, yeah, the livestock sector," he nodded.
"Well, then on an individual level, there's a University of Chicago report that shows you can do more to reduce your carbon footprint by going vegan than by getting rid of your SUV."
"Right, I know about that," he affirmed again.
"Oh, okay, so you do know about meat and global warming. Are you a vegetarian?"
"Umm, we really focus on alterative energy policy…"
I'm all for subsidies for alternative energy and a carbon tax, and I admire the volunteers who work tirelessly to reduce fossil fuel emissions that raise the earth's temperature. These activists fight for national policy changes while also making substantial lifestyle changes. They drive hybrids, use compact florescent light bulbs, and generally do their best to tread lightly on the earth.
But often, they haven't considered one of the most important factors in their carbon footprint: their diet. And if you are anything like these admirable volunteers or even the global warming guru himself Al Gore, you probably haven't either.
…
That's right: eating less meat significantly reduces your personal greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a November 2006 United Nations report, the livestock sector contributes more to greenhouse gas emissions as measured in carbon dioxide equivalent than any other sector, including the entire transportation sector. Transportation-all of the gas guzzling cars, trucks and planes-produce 13.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the livestock industry produces 18%.
"So," I asked, "Are you familiar with the link between meat-eating and global warming?"
"Umm, no," he answered hesitantly, not wanting to change topics from his rehearsed spiel.
"Oh, well, there was this UN report that said the livestock sector contributes more to global warming than the entire transportation sector," I began.
"Right, yeah, the livestock sector," he nodded.
"Well, then on an individual level, there's a University of Chicago report that shows you can do more to reduce your carbon footprint by going vegan than by getting rid of your SUV."
"Right, I know about that," he affirmed again.
"Oh, okay, so you do know about meat and global warming. Are you a vegetarian?"
"Umm, we really focus on alterative energy policy…"
I'm all for subsidies for alternative energy and a carbon tax, and I admire the volunteers who work tirelessly to reduce fossil fuel emissions that raise the earth's temperature. These activists fight for national policy changes while also making substantial lifestyle changes. They drive hybrids, use compact florescent light bulbs, and generally do their best to tread lightly on the earth.
But often, they haven't considered one of the most important factors in their carbon footprint: their diet. And if you are anything like these admirable volunteers or even the global warming guru himself Al Gore, you probably haven't either.
…
That's right: eating less meat significantly reduces your personal greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a November 2006 United Nations report, the livestock sector contributes more to greenhouse gas emissions as measured in carbon dioxide equivalent than any other sector, including the entire transportation sector. Transportation-all of the gas guzzling cars, trucks and planes-produce 13.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the livestock industry produces 18%.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Robert Glasgow
posted 10/24/07 @ 7:45 PM EST
Interesting piece but I think you're missing a few key points.
First, consider that environmentalists that do eat meat should not be painted as hypocrits or anything even closely resembling that label. (Continued…)
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