Despite Recent Protests, Farm Industry’s Best Interest is to Regulate Emissions
While we understand why most businesses are automatically opposed to an emissions tax for financial reasons, there are certain industries that really should think twice about their opposition. We’ve previously identified the skiing industry as a business sector that has a direct interest in fighting climate change. Another sector, which is only slightly less obvious, is the farming industry.
A recent study by Stanford researchers found that global warming will likely put an enormous strain on California’s agricultural industry. More frequent heat waves, rising temperatures and a drier climate, will put extreme strains on the state’s water supplies and energy systems, both of which are essential to growing.
The study, which used climate scenarios developed by the IPCC, predicted that in the second half of this century, average temperatures will increase approximately 4 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. READ MORE
Will Schumer be the Dingell of the farm industry?
Eighteen percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide come from livestock. Direct emissions from methane released from cow belching, farting, and manure, as well as indirect, from the cutting of forests and growing of feed to support livestock, are a massive problem for the environment. Recently, there have been rumors that the EPA might be considering a proposal to impose a fee on some of these emissions.
Although the EPA denies that it is proposing such a regulation, the farm lobby and its supporters in Congress are already gearing up for a fight. READ MORE
Burps, farts, and other crazy emissions from livestock a major source of greenhouse gases
NYT’s Elisabeth Rosenthal has a good article about greenhouse gas emissions from global agriculture. As we’ve noted, the debate over livestock emissions is heating up in the US as the EPA considers a regulation scheme. But even as US farmers gear up for a fight, there are indications from around the world that this is a major problem that must be addressed.
Because of increasing worldwide affluence, millions of people who have lived mostly on less expensive grains are now able to add meat to their diets. And those in the developing world are, of course, continuing to consume large amounts of meat.
This is an environmental nightmare, since according to the UN, activities relating to the production of livestock account for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than that released by cars, buses, and airplanes. READ MORE
Farm lobby picks up efforts to oppose regulation of cattle emissions
The American farm lobby is picking up its efforts to oppose an anticipated proposal to impose an emissions tax on livestock. Farmers worry that an emissions tax, which could be $175 per cow and $87.50 per head of beef cattle, would be too burdensome for the industry.
Yet, it is clear that livestock are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, both directly, and indirectly: READ MORE
