Jan. 25 2011 08:02 AM

The FAO's "Livestock's Long Shadow" shrinks dramatically in new estimates.


The carbon footprint of food production is under more scrutiny at the regional, national, and international levels than ever before. Today, European fast-food chains offer expanded information to their customers, including the carbon footprint of its tofu, turkey, or beef burgers. In April of 2010, San Francisco's Board of Supervisor's passed a resolution to encourage a meatless Monday or "veg day" at restaurants, schools, and grocery stores in an effort to promote a "green diet." While some scientists (especially in agriculture) remain climate change skeptics, it should be clear to everyone that animal agriculture is in midst of a considerable societal debate with far-reaching consequences.

To read the rest of the article, see page 51 in the January 25, 2011 issue of Hoard's Dairyman