Global Warming and meat eating

There was a terrific op ed in the NY Times a couple of weeks ago which separated the issues of industrial animal meat production and vegetarianism. Nicolete Hahn Niman (of Niman Ranch fame) pointed out that the issues raised with eating meat (contributing to carbon dioide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions) are not really problems with eating meat, but with industrial meat production. Using traditional grass-fed farming methods eliminates many of these issues and, if done right, can contribute positively to carbon sequestration.

Here's a good quote: "None of us, whether we are vegan or omnivore, can entirely avoid foods that play a role in global warming. Singling out meat is misleading and unhelpful, especially since few people are likely to entirely abandon animal-based foods."

Click here for the whole Op Ed.