Comment Log Display

The chart on page 7 of Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan - a
Framework for Change shows that the whole agriculture industry
causes 9% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. This is not a
true representation of the reality.

According to a report published by the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization in 2006, the livestock sector worldwide
generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2
equivalent than transportation.

We have to account for all emissions related to the industry.
Everyone knows that raising animals causes methane being released
to atmosphere. However, we also need to consider the large amount
of water needed which consumes energy and causes greenhouse gas
emissions. Raising and preparing animal food also consumes energy.
Besides, the land used for raising animals can be used to grow
trees that can balance CO2 emission. Adding all these together we
will see that the true contribution of the livestock industry to
greenhouse gas emission is much greater. Therefore, I call on the
Air Resources Board and the Department of Food and Agriculture to
take courage and recalculate the true contribution of the
agriculture and the livestock sector. I recommend that the
livestock industry to be divided out as a relatively independent
sector. I also recommend that the protocol in the 2006 report of
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization be followed.

Another way to look at the contribution of the livestock industry
to global warming is from the amount of meat consumed by the 37
million residents of California each day and the related
greenhouse gas emissions. This is equivalent to look at the amount
of gasoline consumed in California each day. We may not produce all
the meat and dairy products here in California. As we consume them,
we are the ones to cause the related greenhouse emissions.

Therefore, I recommend that ARB and CDFA take actions to promote
vegetarian or vegan diet to combat the greenhouse gas emissions.
Nobel Prize laureate, the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), plead for people around the world to tame
their carnivorous impulses and stay away from meat in order to
save our planet. And, experts promoted a plant-based diet not only
to fight global warming, but to benefit public health. I believe
when properly educated, every honorable and noble citizen will
take responsibility and converts to a plant-based diet.

I also recommend that as part of the Plan, the subsidies to the
livestock sector be gradually phased out. It makes no sense to use
taxpayer’s money to support the meat industry which generates lots
of pollution and causes health problems. Instead, the money can be
used to support growing green food or organic food to benefit the
environment and people’s health.

We are at an urgent time, so urgent actions are necessary. Please
revise the Plan to more meaningfully reflect the contribution of
the livestock sector to global warming, and to include plans to
cub the livestock sector and to promote plant-based diet.