Beef making Earth ... warming up

According to research by Japanese scientists, producing every kilogram of beef produces more greenhouse gas emissions than a car that runs for three hours . This study is carried out under the guidance of Dr. Akifumi Ogino, of the National Academy of Pasture and Livestock, in Tsukuba, Japan.

Based on the method of industrial cow raising in Japan, the team calculated and analyzed the impact of cow raising, cow slaughtering and beef distribution on the environment.

The results show that the production of 1 kg of beef produces a carbon equivalent of 36.4 kg of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), a major gas in causing the greenhouse effect, causing heat. Earth's level is increasing.

The production of every kilogram of beef produces a carbon equivalent of 36.4 kg of CO ₂ - the key gas in the greenhouse effect. (Photo: Cbsnews)

At the same time, raising cows to obtain 1 kg of meat also gives rise to corresponding compounds used as fertilizer, equivalent to 340 grams of toxic sulfur dioxide and 59 grams of phosphate. Not only that, the production of 1 kg of beef also consumes an energy source of 109 kilojoules - enough for a 100 watt light bulb to burn continuously for nearly 20 days.

This study does not take into account the impact of livestock infrastructure management and meat transport during consumption. Therefore, the actual impact on the environment will be greater than the level of this study.

According to Dr. Ogino, it is possible to take many measures to reduce the impact of cow breeding on the environment, including better management of cow waste and shortening the interval between breeding times. cattle are about 1 month - this measure is capable of reducing 6% of the impact on the environment.

In 2003, a study in Sweden showed that cows reared by organic methods - ie fed with grass - would emit 40% less greenhouse gas and 85% less energy consumption. compared to cattle fed with concentrated feed by industrial method. The research of Ogino and his colleagues was published in Animal Science in Japan.

Quang Thinh