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In reply to the discussion: Do you enjoy beef? You're directly contributing to climate change. Beef is the new SUV. [View all]GliderGuider
(21,088 posts)43. From an article I just posted over on E&E
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112791869
[center][/center]
The Situation Today
After 1900 fossil fuels began to change the face of agriculture, with major consequences for the expansion of the human population and our domesticated animals.
Today, late in 2015, there are approximately 7.3 billion people on the planet, with an estimated average weight of 58 kg each. The resulting human biomass of about 425 MT is one-third greater than the biomass of all the land animals that existed just 12,000 years ago. It is also over five times the human biomass in 1900.
But as enormous as that number is, it pales in comparison to the biomass of our domesticated animals.
In order to get a reliable estimate for the biomass of domestic animals, I consulted the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The total biomass of domestic animals comes out to 1400 MT, which is eight times greater than it was in 1900. It should come as no surprise that the majority of this enormous mass consists of cows. Almost 900 MT, or 63% of the total weight of all livestock on Earth is cattle. That is also more than twice the weight of all human beings alive today.
You can read the whole article at the link, including the reasons I claim that the total biomass of wild animals on the planet today is only 20 million tonnes, compared to 300 million tonnes before humans began to farm the world.
[center][/center]
The Situation Today
After 1900 fossil fuels began to change the face of agriculture, with major consequences for the expansion of the human population and our domesticated animals.
Today, late in 2015, there are approximately 7.3 billion people on the planet, with an estimated average weight of 58 kg each. The resulting human biomass of about 425 MT is one-third greater than the biomass of all the land animals that existed just 12,000 years ago. It is also over five times the human biomass in 1900.
But as enormous as that number is, it pales in comparison to the biomass of our domesticated animals.
In order to get a reliable estimate for the biomass of domestic animals, I consulted the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The total biomass of domestic animals comes out to 1400 MT, which is eight times greater than it was in 1900. It should come as no surprise that the majority of this enormous mass consists of cows. Almost 900 MT, or 63% of the total weight of all livestock on Earth is cattle. That is also more than twice the weight of all human beings alive today.
You can read the whole article at the link, including the reasons I claim that the total biomass of wild animals on the planet today is only 20 million tonnes, compared to 300 million tonnes before humans began to farm the world.
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Do you enjoy beef? You're directly contributing to climate change. Beef is the new SUV. [View all]
philosslayer
Oct 2015
OP
So we can't eat beef or milk or cheese. We can't eat fish because of overfishing.
mainer
Oct 2015
#3
If we killed all the people who think the planet is overcrowded, would it help?
NightWatcher
Oct 2015
#32
Oddly, most of the people complaining about overcrowding are the same ones who oppose
Marr
Oct 2015
#42
There is no free lunch, no technological fix. We need to return to simplicity.
MindfulOne
Oct 2015
#103
See my post #11 -sheep and goats (really all animals emit greenhouse gases)
TexasProgresive
Oct 2015
#14
Good point, but it needs a snappy catchphrase like kids are the new coal burning power plant
Major Nikon
Oct 2015
#61
High horse? Did you miss the part where I said I had little will power and am part of the problem?
Shoulders of Giants
Oct 2015
#101
If people want details, here's an FAO report on the variations around the world
muriel_volestrangler
Oct 2015
#36
Asparagus and artichokes, grown within walking distance of the back door.
cherokeeprogressive
Oct 2015
#37
Yep, you gotta watch out for those buns. Damned things will give you a heart attack.
GliderGuider
Oct 2015
#97
Yu are using a very energy īntensive medium (the internet) to tell us this. ;-)
CentralMass
Oct 2015
#82