The UN’s top climate scientist, Rajendra Pachauri, said “direct emissions from meat production account for about 18% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions” this compares to 13% for transportation.
Meat production creates almost 50% more greenhouse gas emissions than all that driving around we do? This is a bit of a surprise. That figure includes “greenhouse gases released in every part of the meat production cycle – clearing forested land, making and transporting fertilizer, burning fossil fuels in farm vehicles, and the front and rear end emissions of cattle and sheep”. If you are not set to become, at least partially, a vegetarian you can take some comfort by buying locally produced, non-factory farm meats. “The biggest source globally of carbon dioxide from meat production is land clearance, particularly of tropical forest, which is set to continue as long as demand for meat rises.”
This information was gleaned from a BBC News article.
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