Dietary impact on global warming

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

2. Overview
Who am I? Maths/Computing/Animal Liberation/Ethics
Gratuitous Bool Lagoon picture
Main Theorem
Which is worse? CSIRO diet or a 2 tonne 4WD?
Red meat emissions compared with light globes
Climate forcings
Non-Carbon forcings
Methane locally/globally
Diet Again
Australia’s Woolly Kyoto targets
Global Issues — China and Rice Paddies
CSIRO diet and water
Conclusions and Summary
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 2 / 39

3. Magic at Bool Lagoon
Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methane
Methane is more than double its preindustrial level
People have been draining wetlands for at least 200 years
The wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than Kakadu
The northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

4. Magic at Bool Lagoon
Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methane
Methane is more than double its preindustrial level
People have been draining wetlands for at least 200 years
The wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than Kakadu
The northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

5. Magic at Bool Lagoon
Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methane
Methane is more than double its preindustrial level
People have been draining wetlands for at least 200 years
The wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than Kakadu
The northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

6. Magic at Bool Lagoon
Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methane
Methane is more than double its preindustrial level
People have been draining wetlands for at least 200 years
The wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than Kakadu
The northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

7. Magic at Bool Lagoon
Wetlands are the biggest source of natural methane
Methane is more than double its preindustrial level
People have been draining wetlands for at least 200 years
The wetlands of the south east used to be bigger than Kakadu
The northern peat lands are a net carbon sink (Frolking)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 3 / 39

8. Huge Theorem
Main Claim
the greenhouse emissions of Australia’s livestock last year will
have a bigger impact on global climate over the next 20 years
than all of the greenhouse emissions from all of our coal fired
power stations last year.
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 4 / 39

9. Motivation — Celebrity Shopping
How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?
1 Celebrities
Kevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell
2 Transport
Ford 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

10. Motivation — Celebrity Shopping
How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?
1 Celebrities
Kevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell
2 Transport
Ford 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

11. Motivation — Celebrity Shopping
How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?
1 Celebrities
Kevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell
2 Transport
Ford 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

12. Motivation — Celebrity Shopping
How do food emissions compare with transport emissions?
1 Celebrities
Kevin Rudd Tim Flannery Mark Parnell
2 Transport
Ford 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

13. Celebrity Shopping
1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg
0.3 × 200 = 60 0.1 × 200 = 20 ?
2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:
Food Emission per week (kg)
200 150 4
3 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)
242 161 35
This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x + 34000
where x is the number of weeks.
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

14. Celebrity Shopping
1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg
0.3 × 200 = 60 0.1 × 200 = 20 ?
2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:
Food Emission per week (kg)
200 150 4
3 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)
242 161 35
This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x + 34000
where x is the number of weeks.
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

15. Celebrity Shopping
1 Transport Operating Emissions per week (200kms) Kg
0.3 × 200 = 60 0.1 × 200 = 20 ?
2 Each kg of beef generates 50kg of greenhouse emissions. Hence:
Food Emission per week (kg)
200 150 4
3 Time for food emissions to exceed transport emissions (weeks)
242 161 35
This is calculated, for example by solving 200x = 60x + 34000
where x is the number of weeks.
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 6 / 39

16. Greenhouse Intensity of Beef
Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 7 / 39

17. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

18. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

19. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

20. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

21. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

22. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

23. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

24. Red Meat Emissions 1999 — 130 Mt
What are the components of red meat emissions?
1 Methane — enteric fermentation — 61 Mt
2 Manure management — 2.3 Mt
3 Deposition on pasture— 4.3 Mt (excrement on pasture)
4 Soil disturbance — 3.5 Mt
5 Land Clearing — 55 Mt
6 Savanna burning — 7.7 Mt
7 Pasture improvement — (Good!) -3.4 Mt
8 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

25. What is Global Warming Potential?
1 GWP is impact averaged over some time horizon
2 GWPs add and subtract
3 CO2 — COeq
2
4 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

26. What is Global Warming Potential?
1 GWP is impact averaged over some time horizon
2 GWPs add and subtract
3 CO2 — COeq
2
4 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

27. GWP — Global Warming Potential
Source: IPCC AR4 Technical Summary 2007.
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 10 / 39

28. What is Radiative Forcing?
1 Forcing is measured in (watts per square metre)
2 Energy in — energy out
3 Forcing is instantaneous impact on radiation budget
4 why is “radiative forcing” a useful concept?
5 Forcings are proportional to temperature change
6 Forcings add and subtract
7 Some forcings are easier to change than others
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 11 / 39

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

30. Climate forcings – Direct Effects
1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere
2 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

31. Climate forcings – Direct Effects
1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere
2 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

32. Climate forcings – Direct Effects
1 Methane increases ozone O3 in the troposphere
2 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

33. Climate forcings – InDirect Effects
1 CO2 concentration 370 ppm
2 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

34. Climate forcings – InDirect Effects
1 CO2 concentration 370 ppm
2 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

35. Deodorant forcings
1 Can we reduce forcings otherthan by CO2 reductions?
2 Montreal has saved the atmosphere about 9–12 Gt of Carbon
3 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

36. 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

37. Why is Methane critical? – Globally
1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have no
impact for decades
2 What is a fly wheel?
3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately
4 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 both
8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly
9 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

38. Why is Methane critical? – Globally
1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have no
impact for decades
2 What is a fly wheel?
3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately
4 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 both
8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly
9 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

39. Why is Methane critical? – Globally
1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have no
impact for decades
2 What is a fly wheel?
3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately
4 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 both
8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly
9 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

40. Why is Methane critical? – Globally
1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have no
impact for decades
2 What is a fly wheel?
3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately
4 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 both
8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly
9 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

41. Why is Methane critical? – Globally
1 Oceans are a huge flywheel and reductions of CO2 will have no
impact for decades
2 What is a fly wheel?
3 Methane reductions are effective almost immediately
4 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 both
8 CH4 to stabilise temperature quickly
9 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

42. Hansen’s 1988 Projections
Hansen quit his job to work on Global Warming in 1975
Ace modeller — got a gulf stream with a 1000km cell model
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 18 / 39

43. Global Anthropogenic Methane (Megatonnes/annum)
World's Biggest Methane Emitters
United States (USA)
Russian Federation
Mexico Rest
Human Waste
Coal
Gas
Indonesia Rice
Landfill
Enteric Ferm./Manure
India
China
Brazil
Australia
0 5 10 15
Methane Emissions (mega tonnes) Source: Edgar V32FT2000
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 19 / 39

44. Global Anthropogenic Methane (Megatonnes/annum)
World's Second biggest Methane Emitters
Vietnam
Ukraine
Thailand
Sudan
Saudi Arabia
Poland
Pakistan
Nigeria
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Germany (united) Rest
Human Waste
Canada Coal
Gas
Rice
Bangladesh Landfill
Enteric Ferm./Manure
Argentina
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Methane Emissions (mega tonnes): Edgar V32FT2000
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 20 / 39

45. Diet and Emissions — Sydney University
Eco-Calculator
1 14 serves of red meat per week (80gms per serve)
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 21 / 39

46. Diet and Emissions — Results CSIRO Diet
CSIRO Diet: 11.9 tonnes of emissions
and 7.2 ha land disturbance
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 22 / 39

47. Diet and Emissions — Results Vegan Diet
Plant based diet: — 6.2 tonnes of emissions
and 2.7 ha land disturbance
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 23 / 39

48. Effects of Different Lifecycle Changes
Savings in Greenhouse Emissions
tonnes per year
Switch from high red
meat diet to vegetarian
Reduce petrol from
$100/month to
$20/month
Slash electricity use
from $360 to $180
per quarter
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 24 / 39

49. Australia’s Kyoto Performance
Source AGO:
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 25 / 39

50. Australia’s Kyoto Performance
Source: AGO National Inventory by Economic Sector 2004
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 26 / 39

51. Land-use
Between 1990 and 2004 Australia’s sheep population plunged
from 170 million to 101 million.
The Australian Greenhouse Office allocated about 90% of
emissions from all land cleared between 1990 and 1999 to beef
production
28
160
27
26
Sheep 'million
Cattle 'million
140
25
24
120
23
100
22
1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000
Source: AGO – End Use Allocation of Emissions
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 27 / 39

52. Australia’s Kyoto Performance
All down to sheep?
Can you stop land clearing twice?
Source: AGO National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Analysis of recent
trends and Greenhouse Indicators 1990 to 2004
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 28 / 39

53. 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

54. Land Clearing
Source: SOE 2006
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 30 / 39

55. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

56. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

57. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

58. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

59. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

60. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

61. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

62. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

63. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

64. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

65. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

66. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

67. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

68. Global Issues — Livestock’s Long Shadow
Livestock account for 20% of the total terrestrial animal biomass
Livestock occupy 30% of the land surface
Livestock is the major driver of deforestation
Livestock is a leading factor in:
biodiversity reduction
land degradation
pollution
climate change
overfishing
coastal sedimentation
Global deforestation produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions
then add cattle and methane
then 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

69. Global Issues — China’s Rice Paddies
Wouldn’t it be great to get rid of all those methane producing rice
paddies in China?
Global Production
Methane Production
Calories per person
Megatonnes
per day
Beef Enteric
Sheep Fermentation
Rice Rice
0 200 400 600 0 20 60 100
Source: FAOStat/Houghton
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 32 / 39

70. China has a taste for beef
Coal may not be the biggest problem.
200
110
Cattle 'million (China)
Cattle 'million (Brazil)
100
180
90
160
80
70
140
60
Source: FAOstat
120
50
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Source: FAOStat
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 33 / 39

71. Types of water
Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a cost
Extracted water — taken from rivers, big dams
On farm dams — complicated
Recycled water
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

72. Types of water
Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a cost
Extracted water — taken from rivers, big dams
On farm dams — complicated
Recycled water
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

73. Types of water
Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a cost
Extracted water — taken from rivers, big dams
On farm dams — complicated
Recycled water
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

74. Types of water
Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a cost
Extracted water — taken from rivers, big dams
On farm dams — complicated
Recycled water
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

75. Types of water
Free water — you don’t pay for it but it has a cost
Extracted water — taken from rivers, big dams
On farm dams — complicated
Recycled water
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 34 / 39

76. Where does Australia’s water go?
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 35 / 39

77. Where does Australia’s water go?
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 35 / 39

78. Irrigation Water in Australia
Irrigation Water Use in Australia (giga litres)
Pastures – Grazing
Cotton
Sugar Cane
Mining and Manufacturing
Cereal crops – grain,seed
Pastures – hay,silage
Fruit Trees, nuts, plantations
Rice
Grapevines
Vegetables – human use
Pastures – Seed
Cereal crops – hay
Cereal crops not grain,seed
Other broadacre crops
Nurseries,flowers,turf
500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Source: ABS
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 36 / 39

79. Total Extracted Water Use
Major Water Users (giga litres)
Dairy
Beef
Cotton
Household
Rice
Fruit and Veg
Sugar
Sheep and Wool
Grapes
1000 2000 3000
Source: CSIRO 2005 Balancing Act
Geoff Russell () Dietary Impacts on Global Warming 20th May, 2007 37 / 39

80. 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

81. Conclusion
1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon
2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia
3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane
4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat
meat
5 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

82. Conclusion
1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon
2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia
3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane
4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat
meat
5 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

83. Conclusion
1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon
2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia
3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane
4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat
meat
5 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

84. Conclusion
1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon
2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia
3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane
4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat
meat
5 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

85. Conclusion
1 Red meat is destroying the Amazon
2 Red meat has deforested millions of hectares of Australia
3 Livestock are the biggest source of anthropogenic methane
4 Rumour has it that farmers produce them only because people eat
meat
5 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