FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22/10/2009
Global Emissions from Livestock Sector over 50%
Vegetarian Network Victoria calls on the State Government to include dietary change as solution
to alleviate climate change
It is imperative that the Victorian Government include
dietary change as part of the solution to fight
climate change and to save our precious water resources, says Vegetarian Network Victoria
spokesperson Paul Mahony.
According to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, even the majority of environmentalists and
environmental policy makers have failed to appreciate the truly enormous impact of the livestock sector
on climate, biodiversity and water, said Mr Mahony.
VNV recently submitted a paper in response to the State governments invitation for public feedback in
relation to its Climate Change Green Paper, and
is urging it to immediately act meaningfully on climate
change for the sake of all planetary life. This includes acknowledging the major role of animal agriculture
in worsening climate change, as well as its other detrimental effects on our natural resources.
In Australia, livestock produce more CO2-equivalent emissions than all our coal-fired power stations
combined.¹ Further to that,
a
study published in the November/December 2009 issue of World Watch
Magazine
concludes that the livestock sector
is responsible for more than
half of
human-caused
greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Governments worldwide can no longer ignore the devastating
climatic
consequences of the livestock
sector, said Mr Mahony.
When it comes to our water resources, direct water consumption for Victorian households only
represents around 8% of the State's total water consumption. Animal agriculture is responsible for a
staggering 51%, whilst dairy farming alone accounts for 34%.
The VNV
paper
states,Subjects such as diet must not be regarded as taboo
. We can no longer
regard food choices as being personal when the impacts of these choices have far reaching
consequences for our natural resources and climate change.
VNV strongly recommends that the State government implement a pricing scheme to reflect the real cost
of meat and dairy, and to inform the public of the environmental benefits of an animal-free diet.
If the Victorian Government is willing to conduct public campaigns about adopting other beneficial
practices in regard to energy and water use, then it should also be willing to do the same in regard to
dietary choices.
For more information, contact: Paul Mahony:
mahonypj@optusnet.com.au or 0402 942 756
Mark Doneddu: mark.doneddu@vnv.org.au or 0448 712 063
ENDS
1
Brook, Prof. Barry and Russell, Geoff, Meats Carbon Hoofprint, Australasian Science, Nov/Dec 2007, pp. 37-39,