• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Are cattle to blame for greenhouse gas emissions?

Are cattle to blame for greenhouse gas emissions?

  • This is the biggest bunch of hogwash & hot air I've ever heard.

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Weren't there huge herds of wild animals before domestication of cow that belched?

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • This is something to be considered. Belching cows might be harming our planet!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • This is one more factor from our over-consumptive lifestyle warming up our planet.

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • We should all adopt a vegetarian diet for the good of the planet.

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • We should kill all animals that belch, including cows.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I'm tired of the cold, I'd like to see the planet warm up

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • Total voters
    9
MyOwnDrum

MyOwnDrum

Banned
DP Veteran
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Messages
3,827
Reaction score
1,374
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Independent
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | The methane makers

Does it make sense to you that cows contribute to global warming by producing greenhouse gases?

The author of the 2006 Stern Review into the cost of climate change attacked the "enormous pressure" meat production puts on the world's resources and said people were becoming increasingly aware about "low carbon consumption".
Click to expand...

As the diagram above shows, methane emission is dramatically higher in cows (primarily from belching) than other animals. But cutting back on eating meat is not the simple answer, say scientists.
Click to expand...
 
Kangaroo farts could ease global warming (Wizbang)

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.
Click to expand...
 
MyOwnDrum said:
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | The methane makers

Does it make sense to you that cows contribute to global warming by producing greenhouse gases?
Click to expand...

To some degree, probably. I have no data to back this up (if anyone does it would be appreciated), but I'm gonna guess that annual beef consumption is increasing. Just like producing Legos, producing hamburgers requires energy and produces waste, and increasing beef production certainly contributes to an increase in waste production, including greenhouse gas emission. However, I doubt (again, no data) that beef production is increasing at as high a rate as greenhouse gas emissions are increasing, so the impact of cattle on climate change is likely low.
 
Looked up some numbers quickly

FTA global beef production will double over a period of 50 years. Wolfram Alpha says that US greenhouse gas emissions have risen approximately linearly by 20% over the 15 years from 1990-2005. Over a 50 year period that would make a 66% rise, but that's a bit high because it only includes the US (no global data on WA). That measn that emissions from cattle are growing at about the same rate as total greenhouse gas emissions, so they contribute proportionally to any greenhouse gas driven trends. The article states that cattle emissions make up 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so I'll change my answer to yes. Cattle are 6% to blame.
 
A good steak will cause a little gas, but I have found that potato salad and a beer causes a couple of orders of magnitude more greenhouse emissions. Add some refried beans to the mix, and you have the makings for a complete global meltdown.

NOTE: Egg salad the morning before the meal will amplify the results approximately threefold.

NOTE2: Warning - Lighting a match during emmissions may cause serious injury or death. **

** See my avatar - The caption reads "DanaRhea lighting match in front of unsuspecting innocent bystander".
 
Last edited:
Since I could only vote for one I picked

"This is the biggest bunch of hogwash & hot air I've ever heard"


I I could have picked more than one option I would have also picked this-

"Weren't there huge herds of wild animals before domestication of cow that belched"
 
Yes. Look at Algore and his private jet, look at the mindless masses panting heavily whenever they think about their Messiah in the White House. Cattle contribute much to the global CO2 balance.
 
Weren't there huge herds of wild animals before domestication of cow that belched?


We had over 30 million antilope and buffalo in North America at one time. While cattle can contribute to the problem I will not believe that they are anywhere near the cause of the problem.

I wouldnt doubt that if every american were to walk to work one day a week that we would reduce as much greenhouse gases as our cattle supply produces that week. (just wild speculation here)
 
Baralis said:
Weren't there huge herds of wild animals before domestication of cow that belched?


We had over 30 million antilope and buffalo in North America at one time. While cattle can contribute to the problem I will not believe that they are anywhere near the cause of the problem.

I wouldnt doubt that if every american were to walk to work one day a week that we would reduce as much greenhouse gases as our cattle supply produces that week. (just wild speculation here)
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I voted. We've basically replaced native species of grazing animals with cattle and dairy cows. At one time there were vast herds of bison, antelope, elk, etc, in North America. The same pattern in other regions, where wild grazers have been replaced by domesticated species, all of which belch.
 
Scarecrow Akhbar said:
Look at Algore and his private jet, look at the mindless masses panting heavily whenever they think about their Messiah in the White House. Cattle contribute much to the global CO2 balance.
Click to expand...

Huh? How in the holy mother of ass does your first sentence relate to your second sentence? You aren't even TRYING to connect your partisan hackery to the subject of the thread anymore. :2wave:
 
Last edited:
Baralis said:
Weren't there huge herds of wild animals before domestication of cow that belched?


We had over 30 million antilope and buffalo in North America at one time. While cattle can contribute to the problem I will not believe that they are anywhere near the cause of the problem.
Click to expand...

But now there are over 1.5 BILLION cows.

Baralis said:
I wouldnt doubt that if every american were to walk to work one day a week that we would reduce as much greenhouse gases as our cattle supply produces that week. (just wild speculation here)
Click to expand...

I've heard that cattle actually produce more greenhouse gases than ALL of our transportation. But I don't know if that's true.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom