The document examines the inefficiencies in livestock production, particularly focusing on beef, highlighting substantial greenhouse gas emissions and resource usage required to produce meat. It emphasizes the significant environmental impact of the beef industry compared to plant-based food sources and discusses the omitted factors in livestock emissions reporting. Additionally, alternative measures for reducing methane emissions are suggested to mitigate climate change effects.

1. The Electric Cow
If livestock’s emissions came from electricity, would most
environmentalists listen?
Paul Mahony, 26th May 2014
terrastendo.net
© Paul Mahony 2014

2. The Electric Cow
If cows ran on electricity, how much would we use in
order to produce a beef steak?
© Paul Mahony 2014

3. First, some background
© Paul Mahony 2014

4. Key reasons for livestock’s impact
Inherent inefficiency
Scale
Greenhouse gases and other warming agents
Land clearing and degradation
© Paul Mahony 2014

5. Key reasons for livestock’s impact
Inherent inefficiency
Scale
Inter-related
Greenhouse gases and other warming agents
Land clearing and degradation
© Paul Mahony 2014

6. We’ll focus on the inefficiency of livestock as a
food source
© Paul Mahony 2014

7. Inherent inefficiencies
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

8. Inherent inefficiencies
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

9. Inherent inefficiencies
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

10. Inherent inefficiencies
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

11. What if we wanted to feed the same number of people
under each system?
© Paul Mahony 2014

12. Inherent inefficiencies
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

13. Inherent inefficiencies
More land
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

14. Inherent inefficiencies
More land
More fertiliser
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

15. Inherent inefficiencies
More land
More fertiliser
More energy
The figures depicted have been provided in beef industry material.
Even a conversion factor of, say, 7 or 8 kg of grain per kg of end
product would represent a grossly inefficient system.
© Paul Mahony 2014

16. Inherent inefficiencies
Chicken meat is better, but . . . still a poor feed conversion ratio
© Paul Mahony 2014

17. 1.7
Inherent inefficiencies
© Paul Mahony 2014

18. Yield (meat from live
weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat Inherent inefficiencies
1.7
© Paul Mahony 2014

19. Yield (meat from live
weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat
© Paul Mahony 2014
1.7

20. Yield (meat from live
weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat
© Paul Mahony 2014

21. Yield (meat from live weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat
© Paul Mahony 2014

22. Yield (meat from live weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat
= a return of 43% (or nutrition loss of 57%)
© Paul Mahony 2014

23. Yield (meat from live weight) 72.25%
= 2.35 kg feed per kg meat
= a return of 43% (or nutrition loss of 57%)
Any management team
promoting this level of
efficiency for a conventional
business would be shown the
door!
© Paul Mahony 2014

24. Livestock
Certain livestock-related emissions figures are effectively
omitted from official figures in Australia and elsewhere
because relevant factors are:
© Paul Mahony 2014

25. Livestock
Certain livestock-related emissions figures are effectively
omitted from official figures in Australia and elsewhere
because relevant factors are:
(a) omitted entirely from official figures
e.g. tropospheric ozone and black carbon
© Paul Mahony 2014

26. Livestock
Certain livestock-related emissions figures are effectively
omitted from official figures in Australia and elsewhere
because relevant factors are:
(a) omitted entirely from official figures
e.g. tropospheric ozone and black carbon
(b) classified under non-livestock headings
e.g. livestock-related land clearing reported under
“land use, land use change and forestry”
© Paul Mahony 2014

27. Livestock
Certain livestock-related emissions figures are effectively
omitted from official figures in Australia and elsewhere
because relevant factors are:
(a) omitted entirely from official figures
e.g. tropospheric ozone and black carbon
(b) classified under non-livestock headings
e.g. livestock-related land clearing reported under
“land use, land use change and forestry”
(c) considered but with conservative calculations
e.g. methane’s impact based on a 100-year, rather
than 20-year, “global warming potential”
© Paul Mahony 2014

28. Back to the electric cow
© Paul Mahony 2014

29. Back to the electric cow
If cows ran on electricity, how much would we use in
order to produce a beef steak?
© Paul Mahony 2014

30. Specifically, what figure would we arrive at if it was based
on their current level of greenhouse gas emissions?
© Paul Mahony 2014

31. To get some idea, we’ll compare their emissions
performance to:
© Paul Mahony 2014
• Australian aluminium smelting, which
consumes vast amounts of electricity
• Australian electricity generation, which comes
largely from coal

32. Firstly, aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014
“Aluminium is the ultimate proxy
for energy”
Marius Kloppers, former CEO of
BHP Billiton
“To phrase it in terms of the
industry joke, aluminium is
congealed electricity.”
Mining Weekly.com

33. Aluminium smelting has at times consumed 16%
of Australia’s electricity
. . . for less than 1% of gross domestic product
. . . and less than 0.1% of jobs.
© Paul Mahony 2014

34. That percentage may have reduced due to smelter
closures and a reduction in emissions intensity from
20 tonnes of greenhouse gas per tonne of product in
1999 to 15.6 tonnes in 2011, but its contribution is
still extremely significant.
© Paul Mahony 2014

35. The emissions intensity of Australian aluminium
smelting has been 2.5 times the global average, as
the electricity is primarily coal-fired, including brown
coal from the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
© Paul Mahony 2014

36. The emissions intensity of Australian aluminium
smelting has been 2.5 times the global average, as
the electricity is primarily coal-fired, including brown
coal from the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
© Paul Mahony 2014
Emissions intensity represents the unit weight of
CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases per unit weight of
end product for any given commodity.

37. Let’s compare the emissions intensity of
aluminium smelting to that of various plant-based
food products, i.e.:
- sugar,
- wheat,
- other grains,
- carrots,
- potatoes,
- apples and
- soy beans.
37
© Paul Mahony 2014

38. © Paul Mahony 2014 Here are emissions intensity figures for various
plant-based food sources
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans

39. Let’s then see how steel production and
aluminium smelting compare
(rounded up to zero decimal places).
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans
© Paul Mahony 2014

40. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans
© Paul Mahony 2014

41. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel
© Paul Mahony 2014

42. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

43. We’ll now consider beef production, but first we
need to change the scale of the chart.
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

44. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

45. © Paul Mahony 2014
45

46. 46
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

47. 47
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

48. 48
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Grass-fed
beef
Mixed-grazing
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

49. The first figures are global average figures based on
carcass weight, published by the Food & Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations in Dec, 2013.
49
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Grass-fed
beef
Mixed-grazing
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

50. 50
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Grass-fed
beef
Mixed-grazing
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

51. 51
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

52. 52
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
102
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

53. Now let’s consider emissions intensity based on the weight
of the retail product (representing the yield), rather than
53
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
102
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
the weight of the carcass.
© Paul Mahony 2014

54. © Paul Mahony 2014 The emissions relating to the cow haven’t changed, but the “end
product”, retail meat obtained from the carcass, is lighter than
54
the carcass itself, so the emissions intensity increases.
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
102
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef

55. 55
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
102
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

56. 56
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
102
© Paul Mahony 2014

57. 57
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
102
140
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

58. 58
Now let’s adjust for a 20-year “global warming
potential” (GWP) for methane, but first an
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
102
140
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
explanation.
© Paul Mahony 2014

59. The emissions of different gases can be aggregated by
converting them to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e). It
is like a common denomination for greenhouse gases.
59
© Paul Mahony 2014
They are converted by multiplying the mass of emissions
by the appropriate global warming potentials (GWPs).
GWPs represent the relative warming effect of a unit
mass of the gas when compared with the same mass of
CO2 over a specific period.

60. 60
CO2-e equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from livestock
20-year “Global Warming Potential” (GWP)
Traditional reporting of
methane’s global warming
potential has understated its
shorter-term impact, as it
breaks down in the
atmosphere much faster
than carbon dioxide.
The IPCC’s 100-year GWP
for methane was increased
to 34 (with carbon cycle
feedbacks) in 2013.
The figure for a 20 year
timeframe is 86.
NASA reports figures of 33
for 100 years and 105 for 20
years.
© Paul Mahony 2014

61. 61
CO2-e equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from livestock
20-year “Global Warming Potential” (GWP)
Methane’s shorter-term
impacts can become long-term
to the extent that they
contribute to us reaching
climate change tipping points
with catastrophic and
irreversible consequences.
© Paul Mahony 2014

62. 62
CO2-e equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from livestock
20-year “Global Warming Potential” (GWP)
Methane’s shorter-term
impacts can become long-term
to the extent that they
contribute to us reaching
climate change tipping points
with catastrophic and
irreversible consequences.
© Paul Mahony 2014
Meaningful action in regard
to key sources of methane
can represent a significant
mitigation measure with a
relatively fast response time.

63. 63
CO2-e equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from livestock
20-year “Global Warming Potential” (GWP)
To repeat: Methane’s shorter-term impacts can become long-term
Methane’s shorter-term
impacts can become long-term
to the extent that they contribute to us reaching climate change
to the extent that they
tipping points with catastrophic and irreversible consequences.
contribute to us reaching
climate change tipping points
with catastrophic and
irreversible consequences.
© Paul Mahony 2014
Meaningful action in regard
to key sources of methane
can represent a significant
mitigation measure with a
relatively fast response time.

64. So now we’ll insert figures based on a 20-year GWP © Paul Mahony 2014
64
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
102
140
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef

65. 65
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
102
140
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

66. 66
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

67. 67
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

68. 68
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

69. intensity of beef from grass-fed cows is more than
18 times that of Australian aluminium smelting.
69
On that basis, the global average emissions
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

70. 70
As mentioned, Australian aluminium smelting has
been 2.5 times as emissions intensive as the
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
global average.
© Paul Mahony 2014

71. percentage split of the various factors contributing to beef’s emissions
71
The “20-year GWP” figures are based on the global average
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
intensity.
© Paul Mahony 2014

72. As methane’s percentage contribution would be lower in mixed
systems than in grazing systems, they may be over-stated for the
72
former (160 kg) and under-stated for the latter (291 kg).
They are intended to be approximations only.
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
© Paul Mahony 2014

73. 73
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
56
77
160
102
140
291
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium Mixed-grazing
beef
Grass-fed
beef
The figures also vary by region.
As stated, those shown here are the global average.
© Paul Mahony 2014

74. 74
Here’s how meat from small ruminants (primarily
sheep & goats) compares
© Paul Mahony 2014

75. 75
Here’s how meat from small ruminants (primarily
sheep & goats) compares
3
16
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Steel &
Aluminium
Sheep from grazing
systems
Sheep from mixed
systems
Steel Aluminium Sheep - Mixed - Carcass
Sheep - Mixed - Retail Sheep Mixed Retail - 20 Yr GWP Sheep - Grazing - Carcass
Sheep - Grazing - Retail Sheep Grazing Retail - 20 Yr GWP
© Paul Mahony 2014

76. 76
Here’s how meat from small ruminants (primarily
sheep & goats) compares
3
23 24
16
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Steel &
Aluminium
Sheep from grazing
systems
Sheep from mixed
systems
Steel Aluminium Sheep - Mixed - Carcass
Sheep - Mixed - Retail Sheep Mixed Retail - 20 Yr GWP Sheep - Grazing - Carcass
Sheep - Grazing - Retail Sheep Grazing Retail - 20 Yr GWP
© Paul Mahony 2014

77. 77
Here’s how meat from small ruminants (primarily
sheep & goats) compares
3
23
35
24
16
36
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Steel &
Aluminium
Sheep from grazing
systems
Sheep from mixed
systems
Steel Aluminium Sheep - Mixed - Carcass
Sheep - Mixed - Retail Sheep Mixed Retail - 20 Yr GWP Sheep - Grazing - Carcass
Sheep - Grazing - Retail Sheep Grazing Retail - 20 Yr GWP
© Paul Mahony 2014

78. 78
Here’s how meat from small ruminants (primarily
sheep & goats) compares
3
23
35
24
86
16
84
36
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Steel &
Aluminium
Sheep from grazing
systems
Sheep from mixed
systems
Steel Aluminium Sheep - Mixed - Carcass
Sheep - Mixed - Retail Sheep Mixed Retail - 20 Yr GWP Sheep - Grazing - Carcass
Sheep - Grazing - Retail Sheep Grazing Retail - 20 Yr GWP
© Paul Mahony 2014

79. 79
Some of the emissions from small ruminants are
attributed to milk and fibre, reducing the meat figure
3
23
35
24
86
16
84
36
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Steel &
Aluminium
Sheep from grazing
systems
Sheep from mixed
systems
Steel Aluminium Sheep - Mixed - Carcass
Sheep - Mixed - Retail Sheep Mixed Retail - 20 Yr GWP Sheep - Grazing - Carcass
Sheep - Grazing - Retail Sheep Grazing Retail - 20 Yr GWP
© Paul Mahony 2014

80. Let’s see how the global emissions intensity of chicken and
pig meat compares, based on retail weight and a 20-year
80
GWP.
© Paul Mahony 2014
SOME FURTHER COMPARISONS

81. 81
SOME FURTHER COMPARISONS
Let’s see how the global emissions intensity of chicken and
pig meat compares, based on retail weight and a 20-year
GWP.
Firstly, we’ll revert to the original scale on the chart.
© Paul Mahony 2014

82. 82
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

83. 83
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 3
16
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods, steel & aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

84. Emissions Intensity
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

85. © Paul Mahony 2014 To make some room, we’ll remove soy beans and steel
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium

86. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8 0.9
3
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to soybeans Steel & Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

87. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

88. © Paul Mahony 2014 Now we’ll add pig and chicken meat.
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Aluminium

89. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

90. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
7.6
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Chicken Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

91. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
7.6
13.6
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Chicken Pig Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

92. 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
7.6
13.6
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Chicken Pig Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

93. The emissions intensity of chicken and pig meat is very
poor relative to plant-based alternatives.
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
0.8
7.6
13.6
16
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
kg CO2-e / kg product
Plant-based foods from sugar to apples Chicken Pig Aluminium
© Paul Mahony 2014

94. 94
The emissions intensity of Australian beef
production is lower than the global average due
primarily to higher productivity (more meat per
cow), relatively high feed digestibility and a
reduction in livestock-related land clearing since
the end of 2006.
© Paul Mahony 2014

95. 95
The land clearing may increase following the
recent overturning by the current Queensland
government of a ban imposed by the previous
government on broad scale land clearing.
© Paul Mahony 2014

96. 96
The land clearing may increase following the
recent overturning by the current Queensland
government of a ban imposed by the previous
government on broad scale land clearing.
© Paul Mahony 2014

97. 97
The UNFAO has not produced emissions intensity
figures for specialised beef in Australia.
© Paul Mahony 2014

98. 98
The UNFAO has not produced emissions intensity
figures for specialised beef in Australia.
© Paul Mahony 2014
For our next comparison, we’ll consider figures
produced by Australia’s Department of the
Environment.

99. 99
The UNFAO has not produced emissions intensity
figures for specialised beef in Australia.
© Paul Mahony 2014
For our next comparison, we’ll consider figures
produced by Australia’s Department of the
Environment.
Let’s see how the aggregate emissions of cows
and other livestock animals compare to those of
Australian electricity generation, taking into
account only methane emissions in respect of the
animals.

100. Background: Around 90 per cent of Australia’s electricity
is generated from traditional fossil fuels, with 69 per cent
from coal and 19 per cent from natural gas.
© Paul Mahony 2014
a includes wind, hydro, solar PV and bioenergy; b includes multi-fuel power plants

101. In terms of gross domestic product, Australia’s economy
was ranked number 12 of 214 nations by The World Bank
as at 8th May, 2014.
© Paul Mahony 2014
a includes wind, hydro, solar PV and bioenergy; b includes multi-fuel power plants

102. Australia’s per capita emissions are amongst the highest
in the world.
© Paul Mahony 2014
a includes wind, hydro, solar PV and bioenergy; b includes multi-fuel power plants

103. Around 90 percent of Australia’s emissions from fossil fuel
electricity generation come from black and brown coal.
© Paul Mahony 2014
Electricity emissions: Australian Government, Dept of the Environment, “National Inventory Report 2012 Volume 1”, Fig. 3.2
CO2-e emissions from electricity generation by fossil fuels, 1990-92, p. 50.

104. 104
CO2-e emissions (Gg) 2012:
Coal-fired electricity
© Paul Mahony 2014
215,725
175,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Coal-fired electricity

105. 105
© Paul Mahony 2014
CO2-e emissions (Gg) 2012:
Coal-fired electricity
and methane from animal agriculture based
on 20-year GWP
215,725
175,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Coal-fired electricity Methane from animal
agriculture

106. 106
© Paul Mahony 2014
CO2-e emissions (Gg) 2012:
All electricity generation
and methane from animal agriculture based
on 20-year GWP
193,000 215,725
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Total electricity
Methane from animal
agriculture

107. 107
© Paul Mahony 2014
On this basis, if the newly developed electric cows, sheep,
chickens, pigs and other livestock animals were to require
the amount of electricity that would create their current
level of greenhouse gas emissions, then we would not be
generating enough for them to operate, even if all other
activities using electricity ceased!
193,000 215,725

108. 108
© Paul Mahony 2014
The reported methane emissions are from: enteric
fermentation (released primarily through belching); manure
management; and savanna burning.
There appears to be no allowance in Australia’s livestock-related
greenhouse gas inventory for the following non-methane
factors that are considered by the FAO: manure
applied to feed crops (N2O); Fertilizer and crop residues
(N2O); feed (CO2); and land use change (pasture expansion)
193,000 (CO2).
215,725
Australia’s greenhouse gas inventory does include N20
emissions from manure management and savanna burning.
Notes:
- CO2 = carbon dioxide; CH4 = methane; N2O = nitrous oxide
- The UN FAO treats “manure management” and “applied and deposited manure” as separate
categories. It appears the Australian figures included “deposited manure” in “manure management”.
- We have applied 57% of savanna burning to livestock production, in line with material
commissioned by the former Australian Greenhouse Office.

109. 109
Methane’s share of beef’s global average emissions is 44%
(Enteric fermentation 42.6% and manure management 1.4%)
Enteric 42.6%
Manure (3 categories) 23.1%
Feed & fertiliser 17.4%
LUC – Pasture 14.8%
Energy 0.9%
LUC – Soybean 0.7%
Postfarm 0.5%
Total 100%
© Paul Mahony 2014

110. 110
Buying locally hardly helps
Postfarm
emissions
(transport and
processing) only
account for 0.5%
of the total.
Enteric 42.6%
Manure (3 categories) 23.1%
Feed & fertiliser 17.4%
LUC – Pasture 14.8%
Energy 0.9%
LUC – Soybean 0.7%
Postfarm 0.5%
Total 100%
© Paul Mahony 2014

111. James Hansen – Essential Measures © Paul Mahony 2014

112. James Hansen – Essential Measures © Paul Mahony 2014
Massive reforestation and action on soil carbon will be critical

113. Alternative Diets (updated October 2014)
Chicken 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef mixed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef grass fed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Fish 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Tofu 100g
Soy Nuts 50g
Kidney Beans 50g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Soymilk 400g
Plant foods’ emissions for this and subsequent slides are from an Oxford study released in June, 2014. Some
are slightly higher than figures used in earlier slides but still significantly below the animal-based figures.

114. Alternative Diets (updated October 2014)
Chicken 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef mixed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef grass fed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Fish 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Tofu 100g
Soy Nuts 50g
Kidney Beans 50g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Soymilk 400g
Plant foods’ emissions for this and subsequent slides are from an Oxford study released in June, 2014. Some
are slightly higher than figures used in earlier slides but still significantly below the animal-based figures.

115. Alternative Diets (updated October 2014)
Emissions:
2.00 kg
Chicken 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef mixed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Beef grass fed 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Fish 200g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Cow’s milk 400g
Emissions:
3.24 kg
Emissions:
3.68 kg
Emissions:
34.17 kg
Emissions:
60.34 kg
Tofu 100g
Soy Nuts 50g
Kidney Beans 50g
Broccoli 50g
Carrot 50g
Potato 150g
Almonds 50g
Banana 150g
Orange 150g
Oats 80g
Quinoa 100g
Spinach 100g
Dried Apricots 65g
Avocado 50g
W'meal Bread 130g
Soymilk 400g
Plant foods’ emissions for this and subsequent slides are from an Oxford study released in June, 2014. Some
are slightly higher than figures used in earlier slides but still significantly below the animal-based figures.

116. Alternative Diets (updated October 2014)
Greenhouse gas emissions (kg per day)
Key distinguishing ingredients shown
Plant foods’ emissions for this and subsequent slides are from an Oxford study released in June, 2014. Some
are slightly higher than figures used in earlier slides but still significantly below the animal-based figures.

117. What about chickens and fish?
While emissions from diets featuring chicken and
fish are comparable to the plant-based alternative,
those two commodities in their own right are
around three to four times as emissions intensive.
Fish photo© Furzyk73 | Dreamstime.com - Tinca Tinca, Doctor Fish, The Tench Photo; Chicken photo courtesy of aussiechickens.com.au

118. What about chickens and fish?
They also involve other massive environmental
problems, including destruction of oceanic
ecosystems and waste from around 60 billion
chickens bred and slaughtered annually.
Fish photo© Furzyk73 | Dreamstime.com - Tinca Tinca, Doctor Fish, The Tench Photo; Chicken photo courtesy of aussiechickens.com.au

119. Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University
119
Some thoughts to conclude © Paul Mahony 2014

120. Some thoughts to conclude
“Contrarian claims by sceptics,
misrepresenting direct observations in
nature and ignoring the laws of physics,
have been adopted by neo-conservative
political parties.”
120
© Paul Mahony 2014
Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University

121. Some thoughts to conclude
“Contrarian claims by sceptics,
misrepresenting direct observations in
nature and ignoring the laws of physics,
have been adopted by neo-conservative
political parties.”
121
“A corporate media maintains a
‘balance’ between facts and fiction.”
© Paul Mahony 2014
Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University

122. Some thoughts to conclude
“Contrarian claims by sceptics,
misrepresenting direct observations in
nature and ignoring the laws of physics,
have been adopted by neo-conservative
political parties.”
“The best that governments seem to do
is devise cosmetic solutions, or promise
further discussions, while time is
running out.”
122
“A corporate media maintains a
‘balance’ between facts and fiction.”
© Paul Mahony 2014
Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University

123. Some thoughts to conclude
“Contrarian claims by sceptics,
misrepresenting direct observations in
nature and ignoring the laws of physics,
have been adopted by neo-conservative
political parties.”
“The best that governments seem to do
is devise cosmetic solutions, or promise
further discussions, while time is
running out.”
123
“A corporate media maintains a
‘balance’ between facts and fiction.”
“GOOD PLANETS ARE HARD TO COME BY!”
© Paul Mahony 2014
Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University

124. Some thoughts to conclude
“Contrarian claims by sceptics,
misrepresenting direct observations in
nature and ignoring the laws of physics,
have been adopted by neo-conservative
political parties.”
“The best that governments seem to do
is devise cosmetic solutions, or promise
further discussions, while time is
running out.”
124
“A corporate media maintains a
‘balance’ between facts and fiction.”
© Paul Mahony 2014
Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate scientist at Australian National
University
References and supplementary slides follow

125. 125
© Paul Mahony 2014
References
Methane GWP Chart: Smith, K., cited in World Preservation Foundation, “Reducing Shorter-Lived Climate Forcers through Dietary Change: Our best chance
for preserving global food security and protecting nations vulnerable to climate change“,
http://www.worldpreservationfoundation.org/Downloads/ReducingShorterLivedClimateForcersThroughDietaryChange.pdf
Shindell, D.T., Faluvegi, G., Koch, D.M., Schmidt, G.A., Unger, N., Bauer, S.E., “Improved Attribution of Climate Forcing to Emissions“, Science 30 October
2009: Vol. 326 no. 5953 pp. 716-718 DOI: 10.1126/science.1174760, https://www.sciencemag.org/content/326/5953/716.figures-only
Sanderson, K., “Aerosols make methane more potent”, Nature, Published online 29 October 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.1049,
http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091029/full/news.2009.1049.html
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fifth Assessment Report, 2014, http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/, cited in Romm, J., “More Bad News For
Fracking: IPCC Warns Methane Traps More Heat”, The Energy Collective, 7th October, 2013, http://theenergycollective.com/josephromm/284336/more-bad-news-
fracking-ipcc-warns-methane-traps-much-more-heat-we-thoughtSanderson, K., “Aerosols make methane more potent”, Nature, Published online 29
October 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.1049, http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091029/full/news.2009.1049.html
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation
opportunities”, Nov 2013, http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/en/publications/tackling_climate_change/index.htm;
http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3437e/i3437e.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant supply chains: A global life cycle assessment”, Nov
2013, http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/en/publications/tackling_climate_change/index.htm; http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3461e/i3461e.pdf
United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Agricultural Handbook No. 697, June, 1992 (website updated 10 September, 2013),
“Weights, Measures, and Conversion Factors for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products”, http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ah-agricultural-handbook/
ah697.aspx#.U0ihR6Ikykw
Hamilton, C, “Scorcher: The Dirty Politics of Climate Change”, (2007) Black Inc Agenda, p. 40
Australian Aluminium Council Ltd, “Climate Change: Aluminium Smelting Greenhouse Performance”, http://aluminium.org.au/climate-change/smelting-greenhouse-
performance (Accessed 14th April, 2014)
Turton, H. “Greenhouse gas emissions in industrialised countries Where does Australiastand?”, The Australia Institute, Discussion Paper Number 66, June
2004, ISSN 1322-5421, p. viii, https://www.tai.org.au/documents/dp_fulltext/DP66.pdf
Carlsson-Kanyama, A. & Gonzalez, A.D. “Potential Contributions of Food Consumption Patterns to Climate Change”, The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, Vol. 89, No. 5, pp. 1704S-1709S, May 2009, http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/5/1704S
George Wilkenfeld & Associates Pty Ltd and Energy Strategies, “National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990, 1995, 1999, End Use Allocation of Emissions
Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office, 2003, Volume 1”, Table S5, p. vii
Glikson, A., “As emissions rise, we may be heading for an ice-free planet”, The Conversation, 18 January, 2012,
http://theconversation.edu.au/as-emissions-rise-we-may-be-heading-for-an-ice-free-planet-4893 (Accessed 4 February 2012)

126. 126
© Paul Mahony 2014
References
Australian Government Department of Industry, “The Australian Aluminium Industry”,
http://www.innovation.gov.au/INDUSTRY/AUSTRALIANALUMINIUMINDUSTRY/Pages/default.aspx (accessed 18th April, 2014) (Industry output 2010/11
1,938,000 tonnes)
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, “Australian food statistics 2011–12”, Table 2.4 Supply and Use of Australian
Meats, p. 58, http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2269762/daff-foodstats-2011-12.pdf (Beef and veal production 2010/11 2,133,000 tonnes)
Australian Government, Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, “2013 Australian Energy Update”, Fig. 3 Australian electricity generation, by fuel type,
p. 10, http://www.bree.gov.au/sites/default/files/files//publications/aes/2013-australian-energy-statistics.pdf
Electricity emissions: Australian Government, Dept of the Environment, “National Inventory Report 2012 Volume 1”, Fig. 3.2 CO2-e emissions from electricity
generation by fossil fuels, 1990-2012, p. 50.
Campbell, K., "Energy crunch constraining aluminium expansions”, 27 February, 2006, www.miningweekly.com, http://www.miningweekly.com/article/energy-crunch-
constraining-aluminum-expansions-2006-02-27
The World Bank, GDP Ranking, 8th May, 2014, http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/GDP-ranking-table
Pie chart: Figure 7, p. 24, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of
emissions and mitigation opportunities”, Nov 2013, http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/en/publications/tackling_climate_change/index.htm;
http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3437e/i3437e.pdf
Beef’s efficiency diagram derived from W.O. Herring and J.K. Bertrand, “Multi-trait Prediction of Feed Conversion in Feedlot Cattle”, Proceedings from the
34th Annual Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, Omaha, NE, July 10-13, 2002,
www.bifconference.com/bif2002/BIFsymposium_pdfs/Herring_02BIF.pdf, cited in Singer, P & Mason, J, “The Ethics of What We Eat” (2006), Text Publishing
Company, p. 210
Chicken’s feed conversion figures: Australian Chicken Meat Federation, Industry facts and figures, http://www.chicken.org.au/page.php?id=4 (accessed 7th
May, 2014).
Chicken yield figure: USDA Agricultural Handbook # 697 “Weights, Measures and Conversion Factors for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products”,
June 1992, http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ah-agricultural-handbook/ah697.aspx, updated 10 Sep, 2013
Hansen, J; Sato, M; Kharecha, P; Beerling, D; Berner, R; Masson-Delmotte, V; Pagani, M; Raymo, M; Royer, D.L.; and Zachos, J.C. “Target Atmospheric
CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim?”, 2008.
Acknowledgement: An earlier comparison between electricity generation and methane emissions was reported by Prof. Barry Brook and Geoff Russell in
“Meat’s Carbon Hoofprint”, Australasian Science, Nov/Dec 2007, pp. 37-39, http://www.control.com.au/bi2007/2810Brook.pdf
Australian Government, Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, “2013 Australian Energy Update”, Fig. 3 Australian electricity generation, by fuel type,
p. 10, http://www.bree.gov.au/sites/default/files/files//publications/aes/2013-australian-energy-statistics.pdf
Electricity emissions: Australian Government, Dept of the Environment, “National Inventory Report 2012 Volume 1”, Fig. 3.2 CO2-e emissions from electricity
generation by fossil fuels, 1990-92, p. 50.
Scarborough, P., Appleby, P.N., Mizdrak, A., Briggs, A.D.M., Travis, R.C., Bradbury, K.E., & Key, T.J., "Dietary greenhouse gas emissions of meat-eaters,
fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans in the UK", Climatic Change, DOI 10.1007/s10584-014-1169-1
Cover images: Plug © Antonio Mirabile | Dreamstime.com; Cow © Pavelmidi1968 | Dreamstime.com

127. 127
© Paul Mahony 2014
Supplementary slides
Land clearing
Nutrition

128. 128
Land Clearing in Australia
Total area cleared since European settlement approx. 1 million sq. km.
Approx. 70% or 700,000 sq km (9% of Australia’s land area) is due to livestock.
Cleared native vegetation and protected areas
Cleared native vegetation
Native vegetation
Protected areas
Sources: Map - National Biodiversity Strategy Review Task Group, “Australia’s
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2020”, Figure A10.1, p. 91
Other figures derived from Russell, G. “The global food system and climate
change – Part 1”, 9 Oct 2008, www.bravenewclimate.com, which utilised:
Dept. of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
State of the Environment Report 2006, Indicator: LD-01 The proportion and
area of native vegetation and changes over time, March 2009; and
ABS, 4613.0 “Australia’s Environment: Issues and Trends”, Jan 2010; and
ABS 1301.0 Australian Year Book 2008, since updated for 2009-10, 16.13 Area of crops
© Paul Mahony 2014

129. 129
Land clearing in Australia
Original Map: Copyright 2010 Melway Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduced from Melway Edition 38 with permission.
10 km
How far north would we go to clear as much land as was cleared in Queensland
If we assumed that the land north of a 10 km line running east from the middle of
Melbourne was covered by forest and other wooded vegetation.
between 1988 and 2008?
© Paul Mahony 2014

130. 130
Land clearing in Australia © Paul Mahony 2014
10 km
Original Map: Copyright 2010 Melway Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduced from Melway Edition 38 with permission.

131. 131
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
© Paul Mahony 2014

132. 132
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
© Paul Mahony 2014

133. 133
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
© Paul Mahony 2014

134. 134
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
© Paul Mahony 2014

135. 135
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
© Paul Mahony 2014

136. 136
Land clearing in Australia – Queensland 1988 -2008
Approximately 78,000 square kilometres
Source:
Derived from Bisshop, G. & Pavlidis, L, “Deforestation and land
degradation in Queensland - The culprit”, Article 5, 16th Biennial Australian
Association for Environmental Education Conference, Australian National
University, Canberra,
26-30 September 2010
Original map: www.street-directory.com.au. Used with permission.
(Cairns inserted by this presenter.)
Cairns
78,000 sq km
© Paul Mahony 2014

137. Rainforest destruction in Africa
The vertical lines primarily
represent the Guinea Savanna,
which was once forest and is
maintained as savanna through
regular burning, primarily to
enable cattle grazing.
Sources: Mahesh Sankaran, et al, “Determinants of woody cover in African savannas”, Nature 438, 846-849 (8 December
137
2005), cited in Russell, G. “Burning the biosphere, boverty blues (Part 2)”, www.bravenewclimate.com
© Paul Mahony 2014

138. Rainforest destruction in Africa
Sources: Mahesh Sankaran, et al, “Determinants of woody cover in African savannas”, Nature 438, 846-849 (8 December
138
2005), cited in Russell, G. “Burning the biosphere, boverty blues (Part 2)”, www.bravenewclimate.com
MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/firemaps/
© Paul Mahony 2014

139. Rainforest destruction in Africa
Sources: Mahesh Sankaran, et al, “Determinants of woody cover in African savannas”, Nature 438, 846-849 (8 December
139
2005), cited in Russell, G. “Burning the biosphere, boverty blues (Part 2)”, www.bravenewclimate.com
MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/firemaps/
© Paul Mahony 2014

140. 140
Rainforest destruction in South America
Winds transport black carbon
from the Amazon to the Antarctic
Peninsula.
47% to 61% of black carbon in
Antarctica comes from pasture
management in the Amazon and
Africa.
Black carbon melts ice rapidly by
absorbing heat from sunlight.
http://www.world-maps.co.uk/continent-map-of-south-america.htm
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/amazon_map.html
MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center - http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/firemaps/
Black carbon information: Presentation by Gerard Bisshop, World Preservation Fund presentation to Cancun Climate
Summit, Dec, 2010 “Shorter lived climate forcers: Agriculture Sector and Land Clearing for Livestock” (co-authors
Lefkothea Pavlidis and Dr Hsien Hui Khoo). MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center -
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/firemaps/
© Paul Mahony 2014

141. Burning in Australia
To put Australian savanna burning into context, the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in the state of
Victoria burnt around 4,500 hectares. In comparison, each year in northern Australia where 70% of
our cattle graze, we burn 100 times that area across the tropical savanna.
Source: Modis fire map, NASA 141
© Paul Mahony 2014

142. 142
Protein © Paul Mahony 2014
Bull elephant © William Manning | Dreamstime.com

143. 143
Protein Content
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
Wheat
Lupins
Field peas
Chickpeas
Rice
Mung beans
Navy beans
Faba beans
Lentils
Barley
Oats
Maize
Sorghum
Triticale
Potatoes
Onions
Carrots
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Lettuce
Capsicum/chillies
Cabbage
Beans
Other
Soy beans
Sugar cane
Peanuts
Apples
Pears
Nashi
Avocado
Melons
Pineapples
Bananas
Kiwifruit
Mangoes
Table and dried grapes
Oranges
Mandarins
Lemons/limes/grapefruit
Peaches
Nectarines
Apricots
Plums
Cherries
Almonds
Macadamia
Berries
Beef
Lamb
Pig meat
Poultry
Whole milk
Cheese - Cheddar
Cheese - Non-Cheddar
Butter
Eggs
Tuna
Other fish
Prawns
Rock lobster
Abalone
Scallops
Oysters
Tonnes
© Paul Mahony 2014

144. 144
Protein © Paul Mahony 2014

145. Trophic levels “represent a synthetic metric of species’ diet, which describe
the composition of food consumed and enables comparisons of diets
between species”.
145
Trophic levels: a worrying trend
Bonhommeau, S. et al., “Eating up the world’s food web and the human trophic level”, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1305827110 (2013), cited in Hoag, H., “Humans are becoming more carnivorous”, Nature, 2
December, 2013 doi:10.1038/nature.2013.14282, http://www.nature.com/news/humans-are-becoming-more-carnivorous-1.14282
© Paul Mahony 2014