The "True" Inconvenient Truth

The quickest and most effective way to reduce global warming will come through diet change, according to a letter that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent to Al Gore . PETA wrote that his film, An Inconvenient Truth “...failed to address the fact that the meat industry is the largest contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions.”

Their argument has teeth.

In its 2006 report "Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options," the United Nations said raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.¹ A similar finding came from a report by researchers at the University of Chicago, who announced that switching to a vegan diet is more effective in countering global warming than switching from a standard American car to a Toyota Prius. ^{2 3}

PETA reminded Gore that his critics love to question whether he practices what he preaches. By going vegetarian, they said, he could cut down on his contribution to global warming and silence his critics at the same time.

Given all the concern Gore is stirring up about green house gasses, he might take a bit of advice from our friends at PETA. He could have a veggie burger next time he cooks up a meal in that energy-inefficient mansion he resides in.

"The single best thing that any of us can do to for our health, for animals, and for the environment is to go vegetarian," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "The best and easiest way for Mr. Gore to show his critics that he’s truly committed to fighting global warming is to kick his meat habit immediately." ⁴

To date, there has been no report of Gore responding to PETA’s letter. However, given the increasing scientific and government information coming out, he may eventually face the reality that vegetarianism is a practical, efficient, and responsible way that every citizen can do their part to reduce global warming.

Other reports along similar lines suggest that this argument will soon become part of the mainstream discussion on global warming. For example:

• While there is a lot of focus on how the CO2 emissions from automobiles may impact global warming, a recent Japanese study reported in New Scientist magazine shows that producing 2.2lb of beef generates as much greenhouse gas as driving a car non-stop for three hours. ⁵
• It was recently reported that an official from the Environmental Agency in the UK acknowledged that the “potential benefit of a vegan diet in terms of climate impact could be very significant, (but) encouraging the public to take a lifestyle decision as substantial as becoming vegan would be a request few are likely to take up.” The director of a UK Vegetarian group made a very good point in response, saying "I think it is extraordinary that a Government agency thinks becoming a vegetarian or vegan could have such a positive impact for the environment yet it is not prepared to stand up and argue the case." ⁶