Re: [asa] Cows, diet, and warming

--- SteamDoc@aol.com wrote:

> Here's an attempt to inject something constructive and practical into our
> current discussion about global warming.
>
> It has been pointed out that methane from cattle plays a not-insignificant
> role in the human-caused increase in greenhouse gases. So, it makes sense
> that those of us Christians who care about stewardship of God's creation
> might
> at least consider this in making dietary choices. But one does not want to
> make knee-jerk changes without practical effect (especially since some of my
>
> wife's relatives make their living from cattle ranching ...). So, I have
> two
> questions where I hope somebody here can supply (or point to) some practical
>
> information that can inform our stewardship:
>
> 1) Is this methane emission issue unique to cattle? Or do other animals
> (pigs, chickens, etc.) also produce methane? If I eat pork or chicken
> instead
> of beef, will that reduce greenhouse gases, or not?
>
> 2) What is the relative importance of beef consumption to dairy consumption
> in this issue? Can I find a number for how much methane emission
> corresponds
> to one pound of beef, versus how much corresponds to a gallon of milk?
>
I entered your question "how much methane emission corresponds to one pound of
beef"
into Google. One of the links I got was

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/gg98rpt/methane.html

Which gives some information, though probably not specifically what you asked.
One point it does make is that cows and other ruminants (e.g. sheep) generate
methane because their digestive systems use bacteria to break down cellulose,
which also generates methane. So you'd encourage less methane emission by
eating pork or chicken. Too bad we can't capture the methane generated by
cattle and burn it for fuel.

Bill Hamilton
William E. Hamilton, Jr., Ph.D.
248.652.4148 (home) 248.821.8156 (mobile)
"...If God is for us, who is against us?" Rom 8:31

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Received on Sat Jan 6 20:16:17 2007