New Studies

Making sustainable choices just got even more complicated. Slate's Green Lantern dedicated a column to three new studies: One suggesting meat and dairy consumption plays a smaller role in greenhouse emissions than... gulp... transportation; Another points out that our country's carbon footprint only seems smaller because we outsource our greenhouse emissions; And the last brings some good news about how impactual certain personal green choices can be. Read more here.

So continue to keep your vehicles well-maintained, choose local foods when possible, switch to florescent bulbs, and use electricity sparingly but perhaps JustSaying shouldn't hassle folks about their occasional steaks until she is driving a hybrid, huh? 

Greenhouse Gases Reach Record High

From the Associated Press: The U.N. weather agency says the three main greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere have reached new record highs. Apparently this is the first time in a decade that the concentration of methane in the atmosphere has increased, partially by natural sources, like wetlands, and partially by human activities such as fertilizer use or fuel combustion. Ugh.

Four-legged weapons of mass destruction?

Interesting article from the Guardian. It's about a new report from the Food Climate Research Network - with findings rather in line with the recent Ecologist Magazine's investigation - about greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and how emissions from farms, transport, manufacturing and retail could be cut. The headline urges a return to "old fashioned cooking" and rationing meat to four portions a week (in the UK but obviously this is a global issue) and the body of the article offers statistics that could lead you to take that advice or reject it.