While trying not to look at the picture of fighting pit-bulls on the front page of msnbc.com today, I noticed this link for a blog article from Newsweek. It’s about how the cows are killing us. No, not the cows themselves, but the pollution that is generated because of the cows and the American need for cow meat. The article claims that one precious little beef cow will, in its lifetime, be responsible for upwards of 10,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s not good people. That’s not good at all. While I’m not a vegetarian, and I’m definitely not getting on a soapbox to declare that eating meat is equivalent to selling your soul to devious deities of the netherworld, I will say that there are better alternatives to your average grocery store slab of cow. The same article states that organic beef causes forty percent less emissions and about eighty-five percent less energy to produce.
From a personal standpoint, I like cows as creatures. Don’t get me wrong, I have been known to enjoy a delicious steak every now and then, but ultimately my tastebuds prefer things like lettuce, asperagus, cauliflower and tomatoes.
For your enjoyment, here’s four links regarding cows.
19 responses so far ↓
Ben Rogers // July 19, 2007 at 4:33 pm |
It is ludicrous to think that our issues with greenhouse gases are a new thing (as in, within the history of the humn race). Herds of buffalo used to roam the American continent that dwarf our current beef production herds.
Not to mention that a single blast from Krakatoa or Mauna Lea eject many multiples (thousands of times) the ENTIRE production of greenhouse gases by the ENTIRE human race for its ENTIRE lifespan.
Why can’t you see the truth for what it is? The earth is in a geological warming cycle preceeding an ice age. We can see this happening in the geological history time and time again–however it’s not politically correct to understand science that destroys political powerbroking and making a buck.
roger // July 19, 2007 at 5:06 pm |
Interesting when the American west had a population of 60 to 100 million Bison. What would have been the total greenhouse gases from that herd? Even without the tranportation effort included wouldn’t that impact greatly exceed the present bovine impact? If greenhouse gases rule then I would expect an historical cold snap after the bison were reduced.
Just a thought from a scepical observer.
Remember at one time it was scientifically imposible to fly..
John // July 19, 2007 at 6:28 pm |
To say that cows are killing us is like saying guns are killing us. It’s not the cows that are killing us but the Americans who are breeding so many cows for meat. Eat more lettuce, at least lettuce eats up all that CO2 and gives us something to breathe.
Walter Hughes // July 19, 2007 at 6:38 pm |
This is a money making tool. Global warming only became important when gas prices got high, and auto dealers began to stop selling SUV (Gas Cows) by the thousands. The earth warms, and it cools. There probably is global warming to some effect, but its amazing how every car company within the last 2 years is dropping a hybrid, energy efficient car (Beside Toyota, they been preaching this type of automobile for years). Its about the almighty dollar that Global warming is soo important. I believe in thinking Green, but not the same green with the Dead Presidents on there making money off this fad created by greedy politicians and their supporters.
kelly // July 19, 2007 at 7:09 pm |
Oh well, I guess I won’t be going to Wendy’s for lunch…
Dail Mullins // July 19, 2007 at 7:23 pm |
Well, we’re not doing a bad job of killing them either.
Jeffery // July 19, 2007 at 7:36 pm |
Hey,
Doesn’t anybody realize that cows is not a word. The plural of cow is cattle. I have seen this word in the papers, on the web and heard it in conversation. Whatever happened to proper word usage in “informational works”?
Logan // July 19, 2007 at 8:00 pm |
People who eat meat are not carnivores because most people eat some sort of vegatable or fruit in conjunction with the meat. People are omnivores.
If you don’t want to eat meat because you think it is mean or gross that’s fine. I will continue to have meat as a part of my balanced diet. There are times where a nice juicy hamburger or a good filet minon garnished with green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, a side salad, and a glass of red wine really hits the spot.
Donna // July 19, 2007 at 8:05 pm |
Cattle among other large 4 legged creatures have roamed the earth since the beginnging of time. To some they are cherrished as religous symbols, and in some parts of India it is an abomination (under their religion) to kill these animals for food or otherwise.
Our global warming crisis and the sudden need to pay attention to what excels it is not due to cattle, it is due to our wreckless way of life and the way we as human beings neglect, destroy, or abuse the things that were put here to balance the eco system. Now we have some scientist who want to try and convince everyone that if cattle were not around we could save society from tragic events that come when the earth is abused as we have. Look at the rain forest that they are chopping away at everyday, look at all the refineries, nuclear reactors and so forth that omit huge amounts of green house gases. Lets be truthful about what will eventually cause catastrophic consequences to OUR actions.
Donna
Cindy // July 19, 2007 at 8:59 pm |
Yes, the cattle (thank you Jeffrey) HAVE been roaming the earth, as have buffalo and various other animals that produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, at some point we decided we wanted plumper, juicier, more abundant beef and at the same time wanted to reduce the acreage required to raise them.
So these cattle now eat concentrated feed (which must be trucked in to them) instead of grazing, PLUS are in a more restricted area. It’s no wonder that the big ole’ couch potatos are gassier than organics – who not only eat grass, but also have to walk around to get it – and that their gas is of the more potent variety.
Don’t get me wrong…like Logan, I am an OMNIVORE. In addition I drive my SUV to the malls that were once grazing land. I’m not making light of this, just being honest. I do believe that lots of little things add up to one big mess, and I do some good things – we recycle, have solar, have ceiling fans instead of A/C, and…. okay, that’s all I’ve got. Oh, AND we limited ourselves to three kids. You know, for the sake of the earth (not to mention my own sanity).
I kindof agree with Ben that the earth is in a warming cycle, but I think we’re helping it along. It’s hard to remember to think about the big picture sometimes. We’re running around trying to pick up groceries on our lunch break, not wanting to carpool because so-and-so’s mom is always late and leaves our kid waiting at the park for 30 minutes after the rest of the team has left, and thinking about the 2nd mortgage we’ll have to take out if we decide to feed our teenagers (and all their friends who are always at the house) organic. Excuses, I know, but they FEEL valid.
I’m thinking as I write, so obviously no answers here. Just more to think about.
JJ // July 19, 2007 at 9:33 pm |
If people quit eating meat and ate all greens then the methane would be coming from us instead of the cattle, and there are a lot more people in this world then cattle. I wish one of these wise researchers would figure out how much extra methane would be produce if the whole world went on a meat free vegtable diet. The figures would probably surprise everyone and that is why it’s never mentioned.
instatick // July 19, 2007 at 9:48 pm |
JJ – Good point. For a few brief facts about humans and methane emissions please click here.
Nancy M // July 19, 2007 at 10:18 pm |
I hope you’re all aware that cows produce so much methane because they are fed so much corn. Their bodies are not designed to process it. The life span of a cow bred for meat is around 20 months. If they lived much longer, their insides would combust from the amount of gas and byproducts. Re(read) Omnivores Dilemma.
WG // July 19, 2007 at 10:27 pm |
Please face reality – there is no such thing as carbon induced global warming or a “carbon footprint”. The earth goes through cycles and gets hotter then cooler, then hotter again. This whole global warming thing is what happens when liberals go looking for the next silly cause that they can use as some kind of an environmentalistic-indulgence against guilt from their own affulent lifestyles. If you can’t see this, then you’re buying snake oil.
Ric Sanders // July 19, 2007 at 11:30 pm |
It is a common misconceotion that cows produce their methane via their “nether ends” as the article states… that is not actually the case.
Because of the nature of their reticulorumen (multi-chambered stomachs), the majority of their emissions are fron the front end, in the form of “burps”.
Janet Shelton // July 20, 2007 at 12:08 am |
The fact that people haven’t researched this sure doesn’t prevent them from speaking! There is so much incorrect information here it’s appalling.
Cows have not been around since the beginning of time. The were domesticated from wild aurochs about 10,000 years ago. The species today are quite different from most cows.
Cows were pretty much grazers until recent times. They develop digestive problems when fed corn and are given antibiotics to combat this.
And yes, we produce gas when we eat, but not as much as the cows do while they are being raised. The amount of grass and corn to raise and fatten a cow is many times higher than we’d need if we ate vegetables. There is also major inefficiency and waste in producing and transporting feed.
And where is the logic in comparing man’s activities to natural things such as the eruption of volcanos? We can’t control these natural events. What we do is on top of that because it happens anyway, and with billions of people, our effect is substantial.
And global warming. Correct, the earth does go through cycles. The science says the earth is warming due to man’s activities. Maybe the scientists are wrong, but are you willing to literally bet the farm (and the future) on it?
(((((HUGS))))) sandi // July 20, 2007 at 12:32 am |
WOW Terra! You really got some comments goin’ on this one, huh? I wish opinions could be expressed respectfully! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Dave // July 20, 2007 at 12:58 am |
I eat red meat. I eat few vegetables. I will be dead before “Global Warming” (a.k.a. natural climate change) can overtake my lifestyle. As Ben R. wrote….this IS a natural earth cycle. It has happened before and there is absolutely nothing that mankind can do to stop it. We are not even accelerating it. It is just happening. My advice….sell your beach house, buy a boat (my, my….how incongruous), stock up on AA and AAA batteries, learn how to make ethanol and buy a generator that runs on it. I am now going outside to cook my filet mignon on my gas grill and bring it inside to eat in my air-conditioned home after my 1 hour commute in my gas guzzling WRX/STi.
Al Gore is a scare monger. Besides……he is the guy who “invented” the internet and allows us all to exchange our “ideas”.
Long live Michael Moore!!!! America’s poster boy for nut cases.
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