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Cows 'do more harm than cars', says UN
Last updated at 00:07am on 11.12.06Cows generate more greenhouse gases than all forms of transport combined, a United Nations report has revealed.
The methane and carbon dioxide they produce is killing off vast tracts of forest and coral reefs, contributing to acid rain and destroying fragile ecosystems.
The study, called Livestock's Long Shadow, warns that drastic action is needed.
Its author, Henning Steinfeld, said: "Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems.
"Urgent action is needed to remedy the situation. The environmental costs per unit of livestock production must be cut by half just to avoid the level of damage worsening beyond its present level."
Reader views (8)
Wait until someone works out the environmental impact of real ale - all that methane produced is bound to get it banned one day!
- Phil, Crediton, UK, 12/12/2006 10:43
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That's their vengance for being constantly milked.
- Mcnasty, Richmond, US, 11/12/2006 13:16
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I've almost given up eating Cod because it's becoming an endangered species. My car is seldom used these days because I suffer from 4x4 hatred. And now I find that cows are destroying the planet. Perhaps the vegans were right all along!
The whole report (Livestock's Long Shadow) runs to 407 pages so don't print it out if you feel guilty about destroying trees!
- Tim, London, 11/12/2006 12:20
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Cows? Just a bunch of old farts...
- Pete, York, 11/12/2006 11:20
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Tax them, that'll sort them out!
- Andy, London, 11/12/2006 08:51
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So now we can have cows following the Euro IV emission norms, the Euro I and Euro II can be eaten since they pollute. Fit converters on cows, Hybrid cows are the next step... UN rocks...
- Roshan Gomez, Goa, India, 11/12/2006 05:18
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Another good reason to become vegetarian!
- Edward, Bristol, UK, 11/12/2006 04:17
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Wow! This is totally insane...
- Cow-Ard, California, 11/12/2006 03:17
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