dietary impact on global warming

Dietary Impacts on Global Warming

Geoff Russell

20th May, 2007

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 1 / 39

Overview

Who am I? Maths/Computing/Animal Liberation/EthicsGratuitous Bool Lagoon pictureMain TheoremWhich is worse? CSIRO diet or a 2 tonne 4WD?Red meat emissions compared with light globesClimate forcingsNon-Carbon forcingsMethane locally/globallyDiet AgainAustralia’s Woolly Kyoto targetsGlobal Issues — China and Rice PaddiesCSIRO diet and waterConclusions and Summary

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 2 / 39

Magic at Bool Lagoon

Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methaneMethane is more than double its preindustrial levelPeople have been draining wetlands for at least 200 yearsThe wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than KakaduThe northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

Magic at Bool Lagoon

Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methaneMethane is more than double its preindustrial levelPeople have been draining wetlands for at least 200 yearsThe wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than KakaduThe northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

Magic at Bool Lagoon

Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methaneMethane is more than double its preindustrial levelPeople have been draining wetlands for at least 200 yearsThe wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than KakaduThe northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

Magic at Bool Lagoon

Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methaneMethane is more than double its preindustrial levelPeople have been draining wetlands for at least 200 yearsThe wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than KakaduThe northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

Magic at Bool Lagoon

Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methaneMethane is more than double its preindustrial levelPeople have been draining wetlands for at least 200 yearsThe wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than KakaduThe northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

Huge Theorem

Main Claimthe greenhouse emissions of Australia’s livestock last year willhave a bigger impact on global climate over the next 20 yearsthan all of the greenhouse emissions from all of our coal firedpower stations last year.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 4 / 39

Motivation — Celebrity Shopping

How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?

1 CelebritiesKevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell

2 TransportFord Territory Toyota Prius Bicycle

3 Construction Emissions (tonnes)34 22 0.14

4 Weekly Shopping List (kg)beef 4 beef/roo 3/1 pasta/rice 10

Source (Construction Emissions): Ben Rose,http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/

rose bj 2006. ghg-energy-calc background paper august 2006.pdf

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 5 / 39

Motivation — Celebrity Shopping

How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?

1 CelebritiesKevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell

2 TransportFord Territory Toyota Prius Bicycle

3 Construction Emissions (tonnes)34 22 0.14

4 Weekly Shopping List (kg)beef 4 beef/roo 3/1 pasta/rice 10

Source (Construction Emissions): Ben Rose,http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/

rose bj 2006. ghg-energy-calc background paper august 2006.pdf

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 5 / 39

Motivation — Celebrity Shopping

How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?

1 CelebritiesKevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell

2 TransportFord Territory Toyota Prius Bicycle

3 Construction Emissions (tonnes)34 22 0.14

4 Weekly Shopping List (kg)beef 4 beef/roo 3/1 pasta/rice 10

Source (Construction Emissions): Ben Rose,http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/

rose bj 2006. ghg-energy-calc background paper august 2006.pdf

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 5 / 39

Motivation — Celebrity Shopping

How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?

1 CelebritiesKevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell

2 TransportFord Territory Toyota Prius Bicycle

3 Construction Emissions (tonnes)34 22 0.14

4 Weekly Shopping List (kg)beef 4 beef/roo 3/1 pasta/rice 10

Source (Construction Emissions): Ben Rose,http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/

rose bj 2006. ghg-energy-calc background paper august 2006.pdf

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 5 / 39

Celebrity Shopping

1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg0.3×200 = 60 0.1×200 = 20 ?

2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:Food Emission per week (kg)

200 150 43 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)

242 161 35This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x +34000where x is the number of weeks.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

Celebrity Shopping

1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg0.3×200 = 60 0.1×200 = 20 ?

2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:Food Emission per week (kg)

200 150 43 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)

242 161 35This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x +34000where x is the number of weeks.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

Celebrity Shopping

1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg0.3×200 = 60 0.1×200 = 20 ?

2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:Food Emission per week (kg)

200 150 43 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)

242 161 35This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x +34000where x is the number of weeks.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

Greenhouse Intensity of Beef

Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of EmissionsGeoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 7 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt

What are the components of red meat emissions?1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt8 N.B. Most of Australia’s fertiliser goes on pasture.9 and that’s just the start.

Compare: Turnbull says lightglobe “initiative” will save 0.8 Mt.Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 8 / 39

What is Global Warming Potential?

1 GWP is impact averaged over some time horizon2 GWPs add and subtract3 CO2 — COeq

24 Methane has 21 times the impact of CO2?5 Over what time period?

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 9 / 39

What is Global Warming Potential?

1 GWP is impact averaged over some time horizon2 GWPs add and subtract3 CO2 — COeq

24 Methane has 21 times the impact of CO2?5 Over what time period?

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 9 / 39

GWP — Global Warming Potential

Source: IPCC AR4 Technical Summary 2007.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 10 / 39

What is Radiative Forcing?

1 Forcing is measured in (watts per square metre)2 Energy in — energy out3 Forcing is instantaneous impact on radiation budget4 why is “radiative forcing” a useful concept?5 Forcings are proportional to temperature change6 Forcings add and subtract7 Some forcings are easier to change than others

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 11 / 39

Radiative Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 12 / 39

Climate forcings – Direct Effects

1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere2 Methane increases water vapour in the stratosphere

Source: Hansen et al, Efficacy of Climate Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 13 / 39

Climate forcings – Direct Effects

1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere2 Methane increases water vapour in the stratosphere

Source: Hansen et al, Efficacy of Climate Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 13 / 39

Climate forcings – Direct Effects

1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere2 Methane increases water vapour in the stratosphere

Source: Hansen et al, Efficacy of Climate Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 13 / 39

Climate forcings – InDirect Effects

1 CO2 concentration 370 ppm2 CH4 concentration 1.75 ppm (note 1.75×2 = 3.50, about 1% of

CO2)

Source: Hansen et al, Efficacy of Climate Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 14 / 39

Climate forcings – InDirect Effects

1 CO2 concentration 370 ppm2 CH4 concentration 1.75 ppm (note 1.75×2 = 3.50, about 1% of

CO2)

Source: Hansen et al, Efficacy of Climate Forcings

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 14 / 39

Deodorant forcings

1 Can we reduce forcings otherthan by CO2 reductions?2 Montreal has saved the atmosphere about 9–12 Gt of Carbon3 Kyoto may save 2 Gt of Carbon

Source: Hansen and Sato, Greenhouse Gas Growth Rates

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 15 / 39

Why is Methane critical locally?

1 Cattle and sheep produce 3 Mt CH4 anually.2 Coal fired power stations produce about 180 Mt CO2 annually.

3 3×72 = 216 and 216 > 180.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 16 / 39

Why is Methane critical? – Globally

1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have noimpact for decades

2 What is a fly wheel?3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately4 James Hansen (Alt) called for deep methane cuts in 2001, 30%.5 Hansen again in 2004, 40%.6 Hansen in 2010, ???7 This isn’t either CO2 or CH4, its both8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly9 CO2 to lock it in

10 About 2/3 of global methane emissions are anthropogenic

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 17 / 39

Why is Methane critical? – Globally

1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have noimpact for decades

2 What is a fly wheel?3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately4 James Hansen (Alt) called for deep methane cuts in 2001, 30%.5 Hansen again in 2004, 40%.6 Hansen in 2010, ???7 This isn’t either CO2 or CH4, its both8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly9 CO2 to lock it in

10 About 2/3 of global methane emissions are anthropogenic

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 17 / 39

Why is Methane critical? – Globally

1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have noimpact for decades

2 What is a fly wheel?3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately4 James Hansen (Alt) called for deep methane cuts in 2001, 30%.5 Hansen again in 2004, 40%.6 Hansen in 2010, ???7 This isn’t either CO2 or CH4, its both8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly9 CO2 to lock it in

10 About 2/3 of global methane emissions are anthropogenic

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 17 / 39

Why is Methane critical? – Globally

1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have noimpact for decades

2 What is a fly wheel?3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately4 James Hansen (Alt) called for deep methane cuts in 2001, 30%.5 Hansen again in 2004, 40%.6 Hansen in 2010, ???7 This isn’t either CO2 or CH4, its both8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly9 CO2 to lock it in

10 About 2/3 of global methane emissions are anthropogenic

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 17 / 39

Why is Methane critical? – Globally

1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have noimpact for decades

2 What is a fly wheel?3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately4 James Hansen (Alt) called for deep methane cuts in 2001, 30%.5 Hansen again in 2004, 40%.6 Hansen in 2010, ???7 This isn’t either CO2 or CH4, its both8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly9 CO2 to lock it in

10 About 2/3 of global methane emissions are anthropogenic

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 17 / 39

Hansen’s 1988 Projections

Hansen quit his job to work on Global Warming in 1975Ace modeller — got a gulf stream with a 1000km cell model

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 18 / 39

Global Anthropogenic Methane (Megatonnes/annum)World's Biggest Methane Emitters

Methane Emissions (mega tonnes) Source: Edgar V32FT2000

Australia

Brazil

China

India

Indonesia

Mexico

Russian Federation

United States (USA)

0 5 10 15

RestHuman WasteCoalGasRiceLandfillEnteric Ferm./Manure

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 19 / 39

Global Anthropogenic Methane (Megatonnes/annum)World's Second biggest Methane Emitters

Methane Emissions (mega tonnes): Edgar V32FT2000

Argentina

Bangladesh

Canada

Germany (united)

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Nigeria

Pakistan

Poland

Saudi Arabia

Sudan

Thailand

Ukraine

Vietnam

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5

RestHuman WasteCoalGasRiceLandfillEnteric Ferm./Manure

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 20 / 39

Diet and Emissions — Sydney UniversityEco-Calculator

1 14 serves of red meat per week (80gms per serve)

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 21 / 39

Diet and Emissions — Results CSIRO Diet

CSIRO Diet: 11.9 tonnes of emissionsand 7.2 ha land disturbance

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 22 / 39

Diet and Emissions — Results Vegan Diet

Plant based diet: — 6.2 tonnes of emissionsand 2.7 ha land disturbance

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 23 / 39

Effects of Different Lifecycle Changes

Slash electricity usefrom $360 to $180

per quarter

Reduce petrol from$100/month to

$20/month

Switch from high redmeat diet to vegetarian

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Savings in Greenhouse Emissionstonnes per year

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 24 / 39

Australia’s Kyoto Performance

Source AGO:

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 25 / 39

Australia’s Kyoto Performance

Source: AGO National Inventory by Economic Sector 2004

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 26 / 39

Land-use

Between 1990 and 2004 Australia’s sheep population plungedfrom 170 million to 101 million.The Australian Greenhouse Office allocated about 90% ofemissions from all land cleared between 1990 and 1999 to beefproduction

1980 1990 2000

2223

2425

2627

28

Cat

tle 'm

illio

n

1980 1990 2000

100

120

140

160

She

ep 'm

illio

n

Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of EmissionsGeoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 27 / 39

Australia’s Kyoto Performance

All down to sheep?Can you stop land clearing twice?

Source: AGO National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Analysis of recenttrends and Greenhouse Indicators 1990 to 2004

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 28 / 39

Fudging the numbers

Agriculture 98.4 Mt (2000 AGO Inventory)Sheep and Cattle 130 Mt (1999 — AGO End Use Report (2004))

Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 29 / 39

Land Clearing

Source: SOE 2006

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 30 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow

Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomassLivestock occupy 30% of the land surfaceLivestock is the major driver of deforestationLivestock is a leading factor in:

biodiversity reductionland degradationpollutionclimate changeoverfishingcoastal sedimentation

Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissionsthen add cattle and methanethen add more refrigeration

Source: UN 2006. Livestock’s Long Shadow, Global Canopy Program

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 31 / 39

Global Issues — China’s Rice Paddies

Wouldn’t it be great to get rid of all those methane producing ricepaddies in China?

Rice

BeefSheep

0 200 400 600

Global ProductionCalories per person

per day

Rice

EntericFermentation

0 20 60 100

Methane ProductionMegatonnes

Source: FAOStat/Houghton

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 32 / 39

China has a taste for beef

Coal may not be the biggest problem.

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

5060

7080

9010

011

0

Source: FAOstat

Cat

tle 'm

illio

n (B

razi

l)

Cat

tle 'm

illio

n (C

hina

)

120

140

160

180

200

Source: FAOStatGeoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 33 / 39

Types of water

Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a costExtracted water — taken from rivers, big damsOn farm dams — complicatedRecycled water

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

Types of water

Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a costExtracted water — taken from rivers, big damsOn farm dams — complicatedRecycled water

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

Types of water

Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a costExtracted water — taken from rivers, big damsOn farm dams — complicatedRecycled water

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

Types of water

Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a costExtracted water — taken from rivers, big damsOn farm dams — complicatedRecycled water

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

Types of water

Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a costExtracted water — taken from rivers, big damsOn farm dams — complicatedRecycled water

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

Where does Australia’s water go?

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 35 / 39

Where does Australia’s water go?

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 35 / 39

Irrigation Water in Australia

Pastures – GrazingCotton

Sugar CaneMining and Manufacturing

Cereal crops – grain,seedPastures – hay,silage

Fruit Trees, nuts, plantationsRice

GrapevinesVegetables – human use

Pastures – SeedCereal crops – hay

Cereal crops not grain,seedOther broadacre crops

Nurseries,flowers,turf

500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Irrigation Water Use in Australia (giga litres)

Source: ABS

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 36 / 39

Total Extracted Water Use

DairyBeef

CottonHousehold

RiceFruit and Veg

SugarSheep and Wool

Grapes

1000 2000 3000

Major Water Users (giga litres)

Source: CSIRO 2005 Balancing Act

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 37 / 39

MDB Water Use

But Balancing Act was based on 1995 data, what’s happening now?Between 1996/7 and 2000/1 in the MDB

Dairy — 2,500 to 4,200 giga litres ($93/ML)Cotton — 2,100 to 2,900 giga litres ($258/ML)Rice — 1,600 to 1,900 giga litres ($52/ML)Beef+Sheep — 1,700 to 1,200 giga litres ($-20/ML)

Source: CSIRO Bryan and Marvanek Nov.2004

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 38 / 39

Conclusion

1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat

meat5 CSIRO is unarguably biggest greenhouse vandal in Australia —

and is a world player.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 39 / 39

Conclusion

1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat

meat5 CSIRO is unarguably biggest greenhouse vandal in Australia —

and is a world player.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 39 / 39

Conclusion

1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat

meat5 CSIRO is unarguably biggest greenhouse vandal in Australia —

and is a world player.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 39 / 39

Conclusion

1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat

meat5 CSIRO is unarguably biggest greenhouse vandal in Australia —

and is a world player.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 39 / 39

Conclusion

1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat

meat5 CSIRO is unarguably biggest greenhouse vandal in Australia —

and is a world player.

Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 39 / 39