Why didn't gore address the link between factory farming and global warming?

Question

Why didn't gore address the link between factory farming and global warming?

Answer 1

There is none.

Answer 2

Too insignificant. He's going after the big boys who do the MOST damage.

Answer 3

Because there is no link. Even organic farming has a carbon footprint, at least for the transport of the produce to customers. Even if all the customers come directly to the organic farm they will probably do that in cars which have some carbon footprint. I really don't think the footprint of the actual farm (neglecting transport of the produce) is higher for a factory farm than for an organic farm.

Answer 4

You didn't specify the link, but some factory farms are actually reducing global warming by using their manure to generate electricity.  That's the kind of creative engineering/technology solutions we need to implement in more industries.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006...

Answer 5

What link would that be?

Actually in regards to global warming, factory farms are better than large pasture farms because they take up less space (and thus require less land use change, allowing more trees to remain in the ground).

Now, there are certainly other environmental issues associated with factory farms, and livestock in general certainly contribute to global warming.  But factory farming itself is not linked to global warming.  That's why.

A more valid question to ask would be "why didn't Gore address the link between raising livestock and global warming?"  The answer is probably just that he didn't realize it was a significant contributor.

Answer 6

I think you already know of what the answer might be.  Methane gas (a byproduct of factory farming) is said to be more of a contributer to global temperature then CO2.  Well, that is a problem if you speak about it in public and you are a democrat.  If you want to keep the perception that farmers and regular folk can depend on the democratic party to champion thier causes, you wouldn't put the political pressure on them since the might of the enviormentalists can be pretty strong.  Don't let attention be drawn to methane gas or you may have your farmer constituants quite unhappy with you.

A politician is not a good representative when it comes to science.  In this case, it appears Mr. Gore has the dillemma of a conflict of interest.

Answer 7

He did mention 'eat less meat' as a way to reduce one's cabon footprint. He didn't mention factory farms or list all the reasons this would help though. But it's not like he skirted the issue completely. I don't remember if it was in the documentary, but it's in the tips on the website.