4/27/2012 9:57:00 PM
Letter: Meat diet spells disaster for planet
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EDITOR:
A study published in last week's Environmental Research Letters warns that animal manure and fertilizers used in growing animal feed emit large amounts of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. An op-ed piece in the New York Times warns that the devastating environmental impacts of a meat-based diet are actually magnified when raising animals on the range, because this involves much more land and more greenhouse gas emissions (www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/opinion/the-myth-of-sustainable-meat.html?_r=1&emc=eta1).
These conclusions are in keeping with an extensive United Nations Environment Program's report (www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/02/un-report-meat-free-diet), which drew on dozens of smaller studies. The report concluded that agricultural production accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater use, 38 percent of land use and 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
In an environmentally sustainable world, meat and dairy products must be replaced by vegetables, fruits and grains, just as fossil fuels must be replaced by wind, solar, and other pollution-free energy sources. As the world's most conspicuous consumers, we have a special obligation to lead in pursuing an environmentally sustainable lifestyle.
Our next trip to the supermarket is a great starting point.
James Eichberg
Prescott
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Prescott Daily Courier
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April 27, 2012 01:29
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Tom Von Deck
@Rev: Veganism is just veganism as Bible thumping is just Bible thumping. Fanaticism is independent of, though not uncommon within, the two. James mentioned the word "obligation", but there's no indicator of the enforcement methods if any. Maybe James can answer that one.
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
The Rev
Tom Von D, James speaks to us of veganism not vegetarianism. No more dairy for your Venti in that world. Such fanaticism rivals any bible-thumping extremist, would you not a agree? Beware how you answer, we may share a cell in the new society and I snore.
That said was thinking about a nice vegan curry, allowed to slightly cool to respect the day's heat. Just hope I do not end up with a scramble.
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Jack May
Direct from the Book of Obama.
Article 13 Paragraph 39, and I quote "It's Bush's Fault"
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Mr Bojangels
Meat diet has been here since the caveman ran wild! Stop the Bull!
Additionally, to the "global warming believers"....The earth is absorbing more energy than it is emmiting simple as that! Nasa scientists comfirmed this. The heat increase is due to urban expansion of vacant land with brick,steel,pavement where land once existed. Another words, the land has been replaced with cement and steel more than ever in history worldwide! Guess what, 89% of weather data comes from urban cities and towns with lots of metal & steel & cement that was not there in 1900.
Try this, lay a single roof shingle in your yard in the morning, in the afternoon place your hand on the shingle, then place your hand on the ground next to it. There will be a big difference in the temperatures of the two surfaces. This is your global warming.
The ground cools off rapidly when the sun sets, roofs and paved roads cool off slowly.
Lesson is, don't let your mind start making crazy conclusions that are opinion based or from an politically inspired newspaper.
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
tired of it all
NY Times + Al Gore= Insanity! Don't eat much red meat anymore, mostly chicken and turkey. Fruits and veggies are a given. But, I do enjoy a burger from time to time (Brown Bag please!) And lets not forget that awesome Pulled Pork sandwich from Hog Wild in Cottonwood or Red Rock BBQ!
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Tom Von Deck
Not the best argument I've seen for vegetarianism. I'm veg most of the time myself. There's a whole lot of environmental benefits among other types of benefits. If one can pull it off without medical complications and with a fair amount of nutrients, it's a great way to go. Thanks for bringing up the fact that we have choices. Each option has its own impact, and that impact may be more profound then we are used to thinking.
As for the argument about cave men evolving from meat: That may have been true, but times have changed. Some of us have a broader range of dietary choices today, at least in wealthier nations. We're not stuck on the Mammoth Diet.
@Lyle: Does everyone have to have absolutely zero environmental impact before starting a conversation about the environment?
@Rev: It seems like Uncle James hasn't yet taken away your steak eating privileges. Enjoy your dinner in peace until further notice.
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Concerned Person
Made me want to head to the store in my SUV, buy a thick steak then come home and fire up the charcoal grill and light a fire in the fireplace...
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
Bob Higgins
This from the New York Times and the UN huh?
Two very corrupt organizations that have no credibility with me James.
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Article comment by:
The Rev
Not buying your menu James. Allow me to take my supper as I shall allow you yours.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Aedon L
"The report concluded that agricultural production accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater use, 38 percent of land use and 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions."
Does James Eichberg not realize that agricultural production includes the growing of fruits and vegetables as well as raising animals? Surely he cannot think that there is a difference between the emissions of equipment and fertilizers used to grow livestock feed and those used to grow crops for human consumption...
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Veritas Semper
This article, among most of those offered from the enviromental Left, skirt around the primary thought that human beings are evil and therefore must be controlled to save this orb we inhabit. The writer has offered a plan, an almost humerous one, but a plan nevertheless. What he has failed to do is take the enviromental-Left thought to it's logical conclusion which is the only way to save this planet is through radical and monumental population control. Said contol has already been started (see China) and is already being practiced in the US and Western Europe via liberal abortion policies. Next time, when expounding the virtues of a dietary method of saving the planet, skip to the real goal and desired policy.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
To Tongue-in- Cheek
Unless you go organic, cows now are fed pretty disgusting things in their feed including chicken droppings and the blood of other cows. They also were once fed sheep brains until they realized that was where mad cow disease was coming from. Doesn't sound vegetarian to me.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
gerald Insley
The millions of bison (buffalo) that ranged this country certainly emitted more methane than the lesser numbers of cattle. We drove the bison almost to extinction we then saved the species. Let's push the New York Times to extinction and not ressurect it. What tripe!
Jerry Insley
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
common senzi
"The list of warmest years on record is dominated by years from this millennium each of the last 11 years (2001–2011) features as one of the 12 warmest on record."
Just keep saying... "The planet isn't warming" if it makes you feel cooler. It might work for a year or two.
Not having kids, I don't really care if you fools screw up the planet to the point civilization collapses. Actually I'm looking forward to it.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Cory Saz
mmmmmm, meat
You do remember that it was mankind's change to a meat based (protein) diet that brought us forward from knuckle dragging cave dwellers right? Well some of us...
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Dan G
http://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Couldn't Resist
I just want to follow up on the comments by "Ignorant Article", to the question "where do these people come from?" They come from the factory that produces liberals. They come out "pure", not burdened with any ingredients like logic, historical perspective, fact nor reason. Off they go to plague the planet with their mindless liberal attitudes. And THEY think it's cow poop that's polluting the planet???
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Ignorant Article
I would be embarrassed to write such an article much less have it published. Where do these people come from?
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Bart S.
This is more hokus pokus, just as global warming is!
Reading the New York times is like reading the National Inquirer newspaper.
The New York times is a far left newspaper that plays people like puppets!
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Byte Me
I'll have mine medium rare.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
@ jim mcee
You made an informed opinion about the source cited, being not suitable to base the claim. The closing comment about Prescott College was not necessary. Honestly, the quality of individuals that have graduated from Prescott College is above par, though as in any school or social setting there is some misguided enthusiasm. How much time do you spend in front of a TV full of the unhealthiest examples?
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
MIKE B.
DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AS MANY HUMANS HERE THAN CATTLE? IF ALL THESE HUMANS STARTED EATING NOTHING BUT FRUITS AND VEGIES THEY WOULD BE THE ONES EMMITING ALL THE METHANE GAS.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
First, CO2 is not a green house gas and CO2 is not increasing the earths temperature. That is a fabrication of the United Nations as is UN Agenda 21 which is acting to remove property rights under the guise of "sustainability.". This should mean, we should begin a critical expansion of coal, oil, natural gas and much more nuclear power. With energy independence, we can remove our military from the Muslim world and save 400 Billion from going overseas while increasing our American economy. Mr. Eichberg appears to only be informed by the progressive play book and he is basically just wrong on the conclusions presented.
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
Clarissa Duke
So I guess we should round up all livestock and barnyard animals and exterminate them? I can't wait for PETA's response! This is crazier than the Mad Hatter Tea Party!
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Article comment by:
James Madison
No classes at Prescott College today? Get a grip. Nobody seriously buys your bunk anymore. Using your logic, people should be removed, too, just as the animals who go doo-doo. Want to go green? Just move to Planet A167256Z, it's only 247,000 light years away.
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