In a series of the articles, which were appeared on the past week in the magazine The Lancet, are represented the new data about the influence of an increase in the livestock of cattle on an increase in the concentration of the gases, which determine the global warming of climate.
The consumption of meat grows each year. This parameter however, considerably differs in the different countries. The inhabitants of the developed countries consume, on the average, 224 g for the period of the day, but in Africa, for example, peoples consume, on the average, only 31 g on the day. Chinese gave the basic contribution to the increase - the consumption of meat has grown twice for the last 10 years.
According to the calculations of the authors of a study, reduction of the production of the red meat to 10% will give noticeable reduction in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases, in essence methane and the oxide of nitrogen, are the characteristic products of the vital activity of cows, goats and sheep. The most important result of research is estimation of the contribution to the greenhouse effect of the gases, produced by animals. The authors calculated, that this contribution can comprise to fourth of total balance of anthropogenic emissions of gases into the atmosphere.
Scientists are intended to draw attention of the public to this problem. Reduction in the average consumption of meat to the level 90 g during the day will not only reduce the number of cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, but also will stop global climatic changes.