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Could Your Fourth of July BBQs Soon Be Meat-free?
Enjoy your cheeseburgers and steaks during the Fourth of July BBQs as the future might not include this luxury. The reason? Climate enthusiasts have got livestock in their sights, as recently indicated in a CNN headline suggesting a world-first carbon tax on livestock, costing farmers $100 per cow.
Cows: The Climate Culprits?
Might seem like an ending out of a children’s cartoon series, but cows are now under attack for causing detrimental environmental impacts. According to the propsed taxation scheme, every time a cow belches or emits gaseous waste (methane, specifically), it contributes to global warming. Not only cows but pigs and goats could soon fall under this taxation policy as well. As per Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmark is investing billions in transitioning towards a carbon-free society, even at the expense of cows!
What Do The Figures Say?
Statistics seem to line up with these claims. CNN reports the global food system contributes a third of all greenhouse gases. PBS suggests it’s more severe, stating cows and other livestock contribute to 40% of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. These figures paint cows and livestock as quite the climate culprits, potentially leading to their taxation being adopted by eco-conscious countries.
Cows vs Climate-Efficiency
- This taxing notion leaves cows as the unintended victims in the push for fewer heatwaves.
- As the idea of taxing cattle gains traction, and with more taxes meaning fewer cattle, there might be a decline in meat consumption.
- Environmentalists might finally admit that taxing something leads to a decrease in its usage.
Targeting Livestock: An Irony?
It seems contradictory that while millions have been spent to save endangered species such as elephants, polar bears, pandas, tigers, dolphins, cows, on the other hand, appear disposable. The promotion of biodiversity doesn’t seem to extend to cows, reinforcing the belief that they are not as cute or lovable to warrant protection.
Are Humans The True Culprits?
It’s not just the cows on the line here. Humans contribute to almost all carbon emissions, being the prime consumers of coal, wood, oil and gas resources. This begs the question of whether a birth tax on humans might be imposed to save the planet. As a countermeasure, maybe public service ads akin to Chick-fil-A’s “Eat Mor Chikin” could pop up, urging reduced meat consumption.
What Can You Do?
In line with the changing times, it might be worth reconsidering the menu for your next barbecue. Perhaps swap traditional burgers and steaks for environmentally friendly alternatives like veggie burgers to contribute your bit towards climate preservation.
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