The World in 2030

The World in 2030 117
United Nations (FAO). Land-use changes, especially
deforestation to expand pastures and to create arable
land for feed crops, is a big part. So is the use of energy
to produce fertilizers, to run the slaughterhouses
and meat-processing plants, and to pump water.
Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse-gas
emissions as measured in carbon dioxide
equivalent, reports the FAO. This includes 9 per cent
of all CO 2
emissions, 37 per cent of methane, and
65 per cent of nitrous oxide. Altogether, that’s more
than the emissions caused by transportation. 230
And we are not about to cut back on our cattle rearing, it
seems. Despite my earlier reference to meat of the future
being grown in factories (without a flatulent host animal) it
seems that cattle-producing countries are confident about
their future markets for beef. Under the headline ‘Greater
demand for cattle beef to come from developing nations’
the Arab-Brazillian Chamber of Commerce reported:
According to a sector study, by 2030 emerging countries
will consume 350 million tonnes of cattle beef,
against 100 million in developed countries. Brazil,
which is already the greatest exporter in the sector,
should occupy a special position in this market. ‘The
world needs Brazil to eat,’ stated Abiec president,
Marcus Vinícius Pratini de Moraes. 231
Even the United Nations blames the cow. Under a headline
that read, ‘Cow “emissions” more damaging to planet than
CO 2
from cars’, The Independent reported: