Summary: "Cowspiracy"

There are plenty of movies and books available that aim to educate people about environmental issues, The movie Cowspiracy is just one of the few I've watched recently. Here's a short or not so short summary:

In "Cowspiracy", Kip Andersen investigates the devastating effects of raising livestock and animal agriculture. Raising livestock produces more greenhouse gasses than all methods of transportation combine. On average livestock produce 150 billion gallons of methane per day, and methane is 86x more destructive to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Animal agriculture is also the leading cause of resource consumption, including deforestation. 

The amount of water that is used by animal agriculture is staggeringly high, consuming 34 trillion gallons of water a year. The average person living in California uses 1500 gallons of water a day, half of it caused by the consumption of meat and dairy. Most of the water is used to grow the grain to feed cattle. It takes about 660 gallons of water to produce a quarter-pound hamburger, averaging out at about 2,500 gallons of water per pound of beef. In order to save water, we need to eat less meat, however, the government and environmental organizations do not want to address the impact of animal agriculture.

Animal agriculture produces 65% of the world's nitrous oxide, a gas with global warming potential that is 296 x greater than carbon dioxide per pound, yet all we hear about is the burning of fossil fuels. By 2040, due to the increased consumption of meat and dairy, the carbon dioxide levels are expected to raise 80% by animal emissions compared to 20% by energy emissions. A recent study shows that animal agriculture is responsible for 51% of human caused climate change, 30% of the water consumption, and 91% of the Amazon Rainforest destruction. It also occupies 45% of the earth's land and is the leading cause of ocean dead zones, habitat destruction and species extinction. Yet organizations meant to protect the earth do not have this as their main focus. Because of animal agriculture, we are in the middle of the biggest mass extinction in the past 65 million years. 

Animal agriculture is the greatest source of water pollution. In the United States alone, 116,000 pounds of feces is produced every second, polluting the water. This is 130x more waste than the entire human population combined. This has caused 500 nitrogen-flooded dead zones in our oceans, about 95,000 square miles of lifeless ocean. Currently, 75% of the world's fisheries are over exploited, fully exploited, or significantly depleted due to overfishing. Approximately 28 billion animals are pulled out of the oceans annually, with no chance to recover. If changes are not made, scientists predict fishless oceans by 2048.  

Because of animal agriculture, our rainforests, which are basically the planets lungs, are being destroyed at a rapid rate, one acre every second. Every day, 100 plant, animal and insect species are lost. While palm oil production is responsible for 26 million acres, animal agriculture is responsible for 136 million acres. There are people willing to speak up, but many people are afraid in fear of being shot in the head, like Sister Dorothy Stang. At least 1,100 activists have been killed in Brazil within the last 20 years. 

Most people blame the earth's problems on overpopulation, but really, it's really a people-eating animal population problem. There are 7 billion people on this planet, and they consume 5.2 billion gallons of water and 21 billion pounds of food, but there are 70,000,000,000 animals raised for food that consume 45 billion gallons of water and 135 billion pounds of food. It is not possible to feed the world meat and dairy in a sustainable way. There is too high of a demand, and it is only going to increase as the population continues to grow exponentially. 

To be sustainable, a plant-based diet is recommended; it uses one-twentieth of the land. Growing plants is efficient. To feed one person on a plant based diet for a year required 1/6th of an acre of land. Being vegetarian requires 3x that, and meat requires 18x that. On an acre and a half of land, 37,000 pounds of vegetables can be produced versus 375 pounds of meat on that same about of land. In addition to being more efficient, carbon dioxide levels would drop. Going vegan, in one year, one person can save 108 tons of carbon dioxide emissions; this is more than going solar or driving a hybrid car. By going vegan, everyday a person saves 1100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forest, 10 pounds of carbon dioxide, and 1 animal’s life! Also, ocean populations would return, land would return, the air would be cleaner, and climate change would reverse. It is the most powerful thing a person can do to save the planet!  

Climate Change

Climate change has been without a doubt one of the most talked about and controversial topics over the past decade. This week’s assignment asked us to take a closer look at the topic and human involvement from both sides, the scientific side, backed by data, and the side of the nay-sayers and the root of their beliefs.

Is the climate currently changing?

The short answer is yes. Although it doesn’t seem like it, there is overwhelming evidence to prove that the current climate is indeed changing. Per the UN, the average global temperature increased by 0.6 °C during the 20^th century, with numbers still rising. The temperature increase is directly linked to rising levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂). These gases absorb infrared radiation and change the natural flow of energy. The effects of the rising temperatures can already be seen. Glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost are melting. In Southern California, the drought continues due to lack of rain and longer, hotter days. And in other parts of the country there is massive flooding. There is definite evidence to show that the climate is currently changing.

How have humans contributed?

Since the industrial revolution, the demand for fossil fuels has increased dramatically. Burning fossil fuels is the largest contribution to the rise in carbon emissions in our atmosphere. But studies show that it’s not just humans burning fossil fuels that contribute to climate change, other activities do as well. Agriculture/animal culture is a big player in this game. First, land must be cleared to prepare for livestock, chickens, produce etc… Deforestation removes our natural CO₂ filters. Second, emissions from activities include methane and nitrous oxide. Studies show that methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. We also indirectly generate ozone in our lower atmosphere with car exhaust fumes, other chemicals, and something we unfortunately can’t avoid…sunlight. So again, there is overwhelming evidence that links human activities to climate change.

How does this affect society?

Climate change is very much a social justice issue. Climate change will affect everyone, but the impact may go unnoticed in certain parts of the world and may be devastating to others. So not everyone will be affected the same. Food shortages are expected at the local but not global level. Weather pattern changes will affect water distribution. Some areas will lack access to water while other areas will flood. Physical infrastructure will be impacted affecting the economy. Climate change may have direct or indirect effects on human health whether it be malnutrition or disease. People in developing countries and people of low socio-economic status are especially vulnerable.

What about the near future, the next 50 years?

If we continue our current path and do nothing to change the situation, we could be looking at a different world. I imagine colorless oceans, and by that, I mean the loss of coral reef ecosystems.  Increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification is leading to massive coral bleach events. If we don’t do something to stop this, coral reefs could be gone, forever. But it’s not just oceans, it’s everything else. Long hot days doesn’t sound too appealing. Aside from the hot days, lack of green scenery (at least here), increasing health issues, and colorless oceans, I see war and conflict between the people who demand change and those who don’t. Climate change goes beyond science and physical change.

The Nay-Sayers

Most of the world is in agreement that climate change is real and is happening as we speak. But there are some who disagree despite the overwhelming evidence that proves it. Heartland Institute is probably one of the most recognizable anti-climate change organizations out there. But I can’t put my finger on exactly what they base their beliefs on. One thing that comes to mind is Logical Fallacies. Their stance seems to be based on what people might want to hear or what might seem logical is absolutely backed by nothing. They claim to base their views off what the data shows, but clearly that doesn’t seem to be the case, or there is a misrepresentation of scientific data, showing only the portion that benefits them to support what they are saying instead of being factual and showing the entire picture.

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It all boils down to climate change is real… but messy and slightly terrifying!

Sources used:

http://unfccc.int/resource/iuckit/cckit2001en.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/climatechange

24 Hours Unplugged

Can you go a full 24-hours using as little energy as possible? This means no use of electronic devices, unplug everything that doesn't absolutely NEED to be plugged in, drive as little as possible, and possibly take cold showers. It's not as easy as it sounds, or is it? This week's assignment asked us minimize our energy use and reflect on the experience. So, here it goes.

What did I completely "unplug"?

• Warm showers: This was TOUGH, but I wanted to see if I could do it, and I can. Every morning, I look forward to warm shower. It makes having to get up at the crack of dawn everyday seem bearable. With that being said, I hated it. It was definitely not the way I wanted to start my day.
• All electronic devices, including cell phone, television, laptop and tablet, nor did I use the computers at work/school: These were easier to give than I thought. The cell phone was the hardest. I rely on that way to much. I had to dig out my watch, but I made it through. Without these, I was much less distracted and was able to focus on things that needed to be done. So productivity was definitely a bonus!
• All small appliances: These are usually unplugged as I rarely use them.

What did I minimize?

• Lights: I only turned a light on once it got dark, and I only had one on in the room that I was in. This really wasn't anything different than normal. I stay up late almost every night, so even though it was just one light, you don't realize how many hours it's actually on for and how much energy it's using until you're forced to pay attention.
• Driving: I only drove when I had to, which was to go to school and then come home. This is actually the most difficult. I drive way more than I need it. One of the things that de-stresses me is going off-roading to find a quiet place to study.

What am I willing and NOT willing to give up?

• I'm definitely not willing to give up warm showers. I'm willing to make a time limit, but not give them up completely.
• Giving up electronic devices is simply not feasible. However, I can reduce how many I use at the same time. I don't need to be watching TV, working on the computer, listening to music on my phone, and having my tablet displaying slide shows for school all at the same time. And yes, i'm ashamed to say this happens on a regular basis.
• Clothes dryer and washing in cold water: I didn't need to do laundry during this time, but one easy way to cut back energy usage is to wash my clothes in cold water and hang them to dry.
• Unplug everything that doesn't need to be plugged it. This includes TVs, chargers, small appliances, etc... If i'm not using it, and its not "important" than it doesn't need to be plugged in.

How can I increase energy efficiency in my home?

     I took a good look around my home. All of our appliances are energy efficient. All of our light bulbs are either low-energy or LED. Our windows are dual-pane to conserve energy. However, I would like to have solar panels installed. I know its not cheap, but it really does pay off.