Major sources of human created emission of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases include the production of oil, natural gas, and coal. However, animals which are raised for food are a much greater cause of green house gases but are often under estimated or not brought up at all when talking about climate change. The life cycle and supply chain of these animals cause at least one half of human cause green house gases. Instead of slowly replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, working to reduce animal emissions would be a much more effective action to reverse climate change.
A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2006 estimated that “7,516 million metric tons per year of CO2 equivalents (CO2e), or 18 percent of annual worldwide [green house gas] emissions, are attributable to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, horses, pigs, and poultry.” However, Worldwatch Institute researchers found that livestock and byproducts account for at least 32,564 million tons of CO2e annually, and 51 percent of annual green house gas emissions worldwide.
When taking into account the total tons per year of CO2e and green house gas emissions, there are a few aspects that need to be looked at. The most obvious aspect is the methane emission from belching and flatulence. Compared to carbon dioxide, methane warms the atmosphere much more, but the half-life in the atmosphere is only 8 years whereas carbon dioxide lasts from 100 years. One overlooked aspect is the breathing and exhalation of carbon dioxide from the livestock. Compared to pre-industrial times, there are billions more livestock exhaling carbon dioxide, and even less plant mass to absorb it due to the rise in deforestation. Not to even mention the other sources of carbon in the atmosphere, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Cici's Capstone 