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Humans also produce methane during digestion. And so do deer for that matter (yes, they're also ruminants!). Pretty much all animals and a few plants emit methane. Methane (CH4) oxidizes into CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere in about 7 years... this is a self-regulating system if humans don't interfere. Yes, methane is a more powerful GHG than CO2 (by 25x) and may be of more concern in a global warming scenario; but you simply cannot blame that on the poor animals! They are just eating and digesting as normal. It's we humans that have gotten things out of balance by mass production and mass consumption. We simply need to vary our diet between food sources, and stop eating and wasting in abandon! A good portion of animals raised conventionally in feed lots die from disease before they can even be made available as a food source, not to mention all that is wasted in tainted recalls and spoilage. So, I don't think the answer is to stop eating beef and dairy, but to adjust the way we raise and consume these animals.
It may also be interesting to note, according to Houweling et al. (1999) that ruminant Methane emissions account for 115 Mass Tg/a (teragrams per year) which is only 5 more MTg/a than what is produced in Power generation and accounts for only around 34% of the total Anthropogenic Methane emissions if we don't include wetland agriculture (such as rice production).
Humans also produce methane during digestion. And so do deer for that matter (yes, they're also ruminants!). Pretty much all animals and a few plants emit methane. Methane (CH4) oxidizes into CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere in about 7 years... this is a self-regulating system if humans don't interfere. Yes, methane is a more powerful GHG than CO2 (by 25x) and may be of more concern in a global warming scenario; but you simply cannot blame that on the poor animals! They are just eating and digesting as normal. It's we humans that have gotten things out of balance by mass production and mass consumption. We simply need to vary our diet between food sources, and stop eating and wasting in abandon! A good portion of animals raised conventionally in feed lots die from disease before they can even be made available as a food source, not to mention all that is wasted in tainted recalls and spoilage. So, I don't think the answer is to stop eating beef and dairy, but to adjust the way we raise and consume these animals.
We humans do produce methane, but very little compared to a comparably sized ruminant. It certainly isn't the cow's "fault" but we humans have to consider the GHG impact of our farming industry. We should be working to minimize the impact of all anthropogenic GHGs including those from cattle.
I agree. We need to focus on our farming methods and the way the industry functions (including the way Americans eat and waste so much). I definitely think we'd be better served finding alternative cleaner power sources and other ways to reduce anthropogenic GHGs than trying to blame it on cow farts
I agree. We need to focus on our farming methods and the way the industry functions (including the way Americans eat and waste so much). I definitely think we'd be better served finding alternative cleaner power sources and other ways to reduce anthropogenic GHGs than trying to blame it on cow farts
We humans do produce methane, but very little compared to a comparably sized ruminant. It certainly isn't the cow's "fault" but we humans have to consider the GHG impact of our farming industry. We should be working to minimize the impact of all anthropogenic GHGs including those from cattle.
Wait. Where are you finding "comparably sized" cattle and humans?
Even the small breeds that I know of are a LOT bigger than I am, or pretty much any other human that I personally know. (Trying to picture this and it's just scary.)
Wait. Where are you finding "comparably sized" cattle and humans?
Even the small breeds that I know of are a LOT bigger than I am, or pretty much any other human that I personally know. (Trying to picture this and it's just scary.)
LOL - Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox all over again!!
There is that one guy breeding dwarf cows (http://www.kcra.com/news/3660898/detail.html?fr_story=4ac32ea86c52dabd076407505aade 98d5613c107 - broken link) that are only about 3 ft tall... guess they'd probably weigh about the same as an adult human at that size, maybe a little heavier. But yeah, I don't know to many people who are the size of a Holstein or Gurnsey!
Cows are a luxury animal. It takes more resources in terms of food and water and space to get a pound of cow beef than just about any other meat. Interesting that it is our nation's main source of animal protein.
Wait. Where are you finding "comparably sized" cattle and humans?
Even the small breeds that I know of are a LOT bigger than I am, or pretty much any other human that I personally know. (Trying to picture this and it's just scary.)
If you reread I said "ruminant" not cow. Goats and sheep are also ruminants.
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