There is now irrefutable evidence linking the extensive production and consumption of meat with the present rate of climate change.

In just ten years (from 1995 to 2005), the number of mammals used for meat and dairy production increased by 22% to 4.1 billion, whilst the number of poultry used to produce meat and eggs increased by 40% to 57.4 billion.  [1]

The livestock sector has emerged as one of the most significant contributors to the more serious environmental problems, with farmed animals now producing more greenhouse gas emissions than the world’s entire transport system.  [2] According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, animal production is presently responsible for 18% of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. [3] 

Livestock-related global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arise mainly from the following sources:

• The production of animal manure which releases both methane and nitrous oxide.  According to the FAO, “manure-induced soil emissions are clearly the largest livestock source of N20 [nitrous oxide] worldwide”. [4] 
• The digestive processes of animals which produce sizeable amounts of methane;
• The production of animal feed for consumption by the billions of animals housed in factory farms across the world.  Approximately one-third of the world’s total cereal crop and over 90% of the world’s soya crop are grown specifically for animal feed.  These crops use numerous resources, such as land, machinery, transport and fertiliser – all of which can emit carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions ;[5] and
• Deforestation relating to cattle grazing and the production of animal feed.  Deforestation results in the emission of large amounts of CO2 and, globally, is the biggest factor contributing to livestock-related GHG emissions.[6] 

The 2005 Australian report, Balancing Act, by the University of Sydney and the CSIRO, identified that meat production not only produces significant levels of GHG emissions, but also utilises other precious natural resources.  For example, to produce one kilogram of beef causes 36.4 kilograms of GHG emissions, releases 340 grams of sulphur dioxide and 59 grams of phosphate and consumes 169 megajoules of energy, as well as using hundreds of litres of water and contributing to the disturbance of almost 200 square metres of land.  [7]

The above information goes to show that individuals can still take steps to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’, including by reducing their meat intake or becoming a vegetarian/vegan. 

To read an extract of a speech about climate change, delivered by Brian Sherman AM at the Sydney VeganExpo: Cool the Planet Bite by Bite (2007), please follow this link. 

To read Voiceless's Submission on the Senate Inquiry into Climate Change and the Australian Agricultural Sector, please follow this link. 

Learn how to cut your meat consumption by visiting the Compassion in World Farming ‘Eat Less Meat’ Campaign website, Go Veg.com website, or the cruelty-free links page of our website. 

Another environmental aspect of intensive farming practices is the vast amount of water used to maintain animals kept in factory farms.  The sheer volume of water involved in the production of animal-derived food is staggering.  For example, dairy farming practices in Australia use approximately 2,200 gigalitres of water each year.[8]

Water is used:

• as drinking water for animals;

• as ‘service water’ to flush away animal waste; 

• to wash the animals; and 

• to water crops used as animal feed.

The high rate of water usage associated with the dairy industry raises serious issues in a country like Australia which periodically experiences severe drought. Dairy production is of course also the cause of tremendous suffering for millions of cows and their young every year. Reducing dairy consumption therefore allows one to impact positively on the environment and the lives of animals in a single step.

To learn more about dairy production and water usage please follow these links to the Animals Australia website.

[1] Compassion in World Farming 2007, ‘Global Warning: Climate Change & Farm Animal Welfare’ (2007), p. 1.

[3] Steinfeld, H et al, ‘Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options, Food and Agricultural Organisation’ (2006), p. xxi.

[4] CIWF, above n1, 2.1

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Daniele Fanelli, ‘Meat is murder on the environment’ NewScientist Environment, 16 July 2007 

[8]  from Australian Bureau of Statistics figures quoted on Animals Australia's website  

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