...animal agriculture sector is responsible for 18% of human-induced greenhouse emissions, greater than the share contributed by the transportation sector.
Not so fast. According to the American Meat Institute, the number is really 2.8%. It's about time we had some unbiased figures to counter the UN report. The sustainable food people can breathe a sigh of relief. Now whenever anyone accuses them of hypocritically ignoring the single biggest contributor to global warming, they can reply, "Well according to the American Meat Institute..."
The Animal Welfare Society cites the study too. In a post about the connection between meat consumption and global warming they say,
On first glance, it may seem that the only options are to ignore our impending climatic crisis or to cut out meat altogether. But rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater perhaps there is a way to raise farm animals sustainability, and to leave a lighter footprint on the planet.
In other words, come on, folks, we've managed to present ourselves as concerned with the welfare of animals while we continue to consume their flesh. If we can pull off that sleight of hand, I'm sure we can also continue to consider ourselves good progressive environmentalists without giving up the meat we crave.
The American Rationalization Institute has a special award for the Animal Welfare Society, Farm Forward, Humane Farm Animal Care and sustainable food organizations. They'll all be dueling for the coveted Golden Rationalization Award and accompanying Happy Slaughtered Steer trophy, to be presented at the annual gathering, where the dinner menu will include thick, juicy steaks from animals lovingly slaughtered by humane family farmers.
