(Grain fed or grass fed - based on Facebook comments by Corey Watts of Melbourne.) |
(subscript/superscript formatting) |
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'''Estimated carbon footprint, loss of natural habitat potential, loss of plant and animal life potential in natural habitat and/or extinction potential from making, packaging, shipping and/or using these products or services.'''<br>-----------<br> | '''Estimated carbon footprint, loss of natural habitat potential, loss of plant and animal life potential in natural habitat and/or extinction potential from making, packaging, shipping and/or using these products or services.'''<br>-----------<br> | ||
+ Except for | + Except for CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, estimates are based on [http://ecofx.org Habitat,_Life,_Extinction_Formulas_v2] via ecofx.org. +<br> | ||
Estimates do not include the possible long-term ecological effects of climate change and persistent toxins.<br> | Estimates do not include the possible long-term ecological effects of climate change and persistent toxins.<br> | ||
Formulas use "human appropriated net primary production (HANPP)" to " | Formulas use "human appropriated net primary production (HANPP)" to "CO<sub>2</sub> emissions" correlation.<br>-----------<br> | ||
1 kg(kilogram) = 2.2 lb(pounds) 1 | 1 kg(kilogram) = 2.2 lb(pounds) 1 m<sup>2</sup>(square meter) = 10.8 ft<sup>2</sup>(square feet)<br>1 km(kilometers) = 0.62 mi(miles) 1 liter = 0.26 gallons | ||
</center> | </center> | ||
</td></tr> | </td></tr> | ||
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<tr bgcolor="white"> | <tr bgcolor="white"> | ||
<td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Beef - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | <td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Beef - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | ||
CO<sub>2</sub> from [http://www.soprisfoundation.org/PDFs/DailyCarbonCalcs_May08.pdf Sopris Foundation]. [[#ref1]] 1% of the CO<sub>2</sub> from shipping to retailer.</td> | |||
<td width="17%">Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef. | <td width="17%">Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef. | ||
<hr> fertilizer, grain, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline</td> | <hr> fertilizer, grain, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline</td> | ||
<td width="17%"> | <td width="17%">CO<sub>2</sub> released to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef.<hr>22.1 kg<br>48.6 lb</td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef. | <td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef. | ||
<hr>17 | <hr>17 m<sup>2</sup><br>183 ft<sup>2</sup></td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef. | <td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef. | ||
<hr>53 kg<br>116 lb</td> | <hr>53 kg<br>116 lb</td> | ||
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<tr bgcolor="white"> | <tr bgcolor="white"> | ||
<td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Chicken/ Fish/ Eggs - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | <td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Chicken/ Fish/ Eggs - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | ||
CO<sub>2</sub> from [http://www.soprisfoundation.org/PDFs/DailyCarbonCalcs_May08.pdf Sopris Foundation]. [[#ref1]] 3%-7% is CO<sub>2</sub> from shipping to retailer.</td> | |||
<td width="17%">Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | <td width="17%">Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | ||
<hr> | <hr> | ||
fertilizer, grain, pesticides, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | fertilizer, grain, pesticides, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | ||
<td width="17%"> | <td width="17%">CO<sub>2</sub> released to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | ||
<hr>5.96 kg<br>13 lb</td> | <hr>5.96 kg<br>13 lb</td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | <td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | ||
<hr>4.6 | <hr>4.6 m<sup>2</sup><br>49 ft<sup>2</sup></td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | <td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs. | ||
<hr>14.3 kg<br>31.4 lb</td> | <hr>14.3 kg<br>31.4 lb</td> | ||
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<td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Dairy products - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)''' | <td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Dairy products - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)''' | ||
<hr> | <hr> | ||
CO<sub>2</sub> from [http://www.soprisfoundation.org/PDFs/DailyCarbonCalcs_May08.pdf Sopris Foundation]. Includes shipping to retailer. [[#ref1]] 3%-7% is CO<sub>2</sub> from shipping to retailer.</td> | |||
<td width="17%">Some of the materials used to make 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of dairy. | <td width="17%">Some of the materials used to make 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of dairy. | ||
<hr>fertilizer, grain, water, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | <hr>fertilizer, grain, water, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | ||
<td width="17%"> | <td width="17%">CO<sub>2</sub> released to make 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of dairy products. | ||
<hr>4.13 kg<br>9.1 lb</td> | <hr>4.13 kg<br>9.1 lb</td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products. | <td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products. | ||
<hr>3.2 | <hr>3.2 m<sup>2</sup><br>34 ft<sup>2</sup></td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products. | <td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products. | ||
<hr>9.9 kg<br>22 lb</td> | <hr>9.9 kg<br>22 lb</td> | ||
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<tr bgcolor="white"> | <tr bgcolor="white"> | ||
<td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Fruits/ Vegetables - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | <td bgcolor="#FFFFE8" rowspan="1" alt="Product name." width="17%"><br>'''Fruits/ Vegetables - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)'''<hr> | ||
CO<sub>2</sub> from [http://www.soprisfoundation.org/PDFs/DailyCarbonCalcs_May08.pdf Sopris Foundation]. [[#ref1]] 6%-11% is CO<sub>2</sub> from shipping to retailer.</td> | |||
<td width="17%">Some of the materials used to grow 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fruits/vegetables. | <td width="17%">Some of the materials used to grow 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fruits/vegetables. | ||
<hr> | <hr> | ||
water, pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | water, pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline, diesel fuel.</td> | ||
<td width="17%"> | <td width="17%">CO<sub>2</sub> released to grow 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables. | ||
<hr>1.59 kg<br>3.5 lb</td> | <hr>1.59 kg<br>3.5 lb</td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables. | <td width="17%">Loss of natural habitat potential to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables. | ||
<hr>1.2 | <hr>1.2 m<sup>2</sup><br>13 ft<sup>2</sup></td> | ||
<td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables. | <td width="17%">Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables. | ||
<hr>3.8 kg<br>8.4 lb</td> | <hr>3.8 kg<br>8.4 lb</td> | ||
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== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
The production of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef results in about 22.1 kilograms (49 pounds) of | The production of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef results in about 22.1 kilograms (49 pounds) of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions - including production of grains and feed, methane released from the cow's digestion adjusted as a CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent, materials, production and shipping.[[#ref1]] The loss of natural habitat potential from 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef is estimated to be 17 square meters (183 square feet). | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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<span id="ref2">2.</span> American Chemical Society http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es702969f | <span id="ref2">2.</span> American Chemical Society http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es702969f | ||
<span id="ref3">3.</span> Scientific American http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-greenhouse-hamburger February, 2009 14.8 pounds of | <span id="ref3">3.</span> Scientific American http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-greenhouse-hamburger February, 2009 14.8 pounds of CO<sub>2</sub> pound for pound [of beef]<br> | ||
<span id="ref4">4.</span> Anderson, Kathryn (2007) Food, a paper for “Toward an Ethical | <span id="ref4">4.</span> Anderson, Kathryn (2007) Food, a paper for “Toward an Ethical CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions Trajectory for Princeton”, p. 14: conventional beef averages 13.04 lb CO<sub>2</sub>e per lb ground beef. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 15:11, 17 November 2016
____ environmental impact of beef ____ Estimated carbon footprint, loss of natural habitat potential, loss of plant and animal life potential in natural habitat and/or extinction potential from making, packaging, shipping and/or using these products or services. | |||||
Beef - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) CO2 from Sopris Foundation. #ref1 1% of the CO2 from shipping to retailer. |
Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef.
fertilizer, grain, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline |
CO2 released to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef. 22.1 kg 48.6 lb |
Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef.
17 m2 183 ft2 |
Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of beef.
53 kg 116 lb |
How many kilogram of beef it takes to trigger 1 potential species extinction.
8.8 million |
Chicken/ Fish/ Eggs - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) CO2 from Sopris Foundation. #ref1 3%-7% is CO2 from shipping to retailer. |
Some of the materials used to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of chicken/ fish/ eggs.
fertilizer, grain, pesticides, gasoline, diesel fuel. |
CO2 released to raise 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs.
5.96 kg 13 lb |
Loss of natural habitat potential to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs.
4.6 m2 49 ft2 |
Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to raise 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of chicken/ fish/ eggs.
14.3 kg 31.4 lb |
How many kilograms of chicken/ fish/ eggs it takes to trigger 1 potential species extinction.
32.7 million |
Dairy products - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) CO2 from Sopris Foundation. Includes shipping to retailer. #ref1 3%-7% is CO2 from shipping to retailer. |
Some of the materials used to make 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of dairy.
fertilizer, grain, water, pesticides, antibiotics, gasoline, diesel fuel. |
CO2 released to make 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of dairy products.
4.13 kg 9.1 lb |
Loss of natural habitat potential to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products.
3.2 m2 34 ft2 |
Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to make 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of dairy products.
9.9 kg 22 lb |
How many kilograms of dairy products it takes to trigger 1 potential species extinction.
47 million |
Fruits/ Vegetables - 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) CO2 from Sopris Foundation. #ref1 6%-11% is CO2 from shipping to retailer. |
Some of the materials used to grow 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fruits/vegetables.
water, pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline, diesel fuel. |
CO2 released to grow 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables.
1.59 kg 3.5 lb |
Loss of natural habitat potential to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables.
1.2 m2 13 ft2 |
Loss of plant and animal life potential (in natural habitat) to grow 1 kilograms (2.2 pound) of fruits/vegetables.
3.8 kg 8.4 lb |
How many kilograms of fruits/vegetables it takes to trigger 1 potential species extinction. 123 million |
Grain fed or grass fed?
The emissions intensity of grain-fed beef is considerably lower than that of grass-fed animals, even when the full life-cycle is taken into account, but not necessarily when carbon sequestration in soils and vegetation is accounted for. Even here the situation is more complex than it appears, and accounting is tricky. The reason is that an animal fed on grains will put on weight quicker and hence be 'finished' (killed) earlier.
Also, grain is easier to digest than grass; the animal extracts more energy from the feed and less energy is 'wasted' as methane.
However, some people eat grass-fed beef for separate ethical reasons or health reasons (believing that the fats in the beef are healthier).
Even pasture raised animals may need grain or other supplements in times of drought.
Summary
The production of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef results in about 22.1 kilograms (49 pounds) of CO2 emissions - including production of grains and feed, methane released from the cow's digestion adjusted as a CO2 equivalent, materials, production and shipping.#ref1 The loss of natural habitat potential from 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef is estimated to be 17 square meters (183 square feet).
Notes
"... a totally “localized” diet reduces GHG [green house gas] emissions per household equivalent to 1000 miles/yr (1600 km/yr) driven, while shifting just one day per week’s calories from red meat and dairy to chicken/fish/eggs or a vegetable-based diet reduces GHG emissions equivalent to 760 miles/yr (1230 km/yr) or 1160 miles/yr (1860 km/yr), respectively. Shifting totally away from red meat and dairy toward chicken/fish/eggs or a vegetable-based diet reduces GHG emissions equivalent to 5340 mi/yr (8590 km/yr) or 8100 mi/yr (13000 km/yr), respectively. #ref1
References
1. Sopris Foundation http://www.soprisfoundation.org/PDFs/DailyCarbonCalcs_May08.pdf
2. American Chemical Society http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es702969f
3. Scientific American http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-greenhouse-hamburger February, 2009 14.8 pounds of CO2 pound for pound [of beef]
4. Anderson, Kathryn (2007) Food, a paper for “Toward an Ethical CO2 Emissions Trajectory for Princeton”, p. 14: conventional beef averages 13.04 lb CO2e per lb ground beef.