The Carnivore’s Dilemma

The New York Times

By NICOLETTE HAHN NIMAN

Op-Ed Contributor
Published: October 30, 200

IS eating a hamburger the global warming equivalent of driving a Hummer? This week an article in The Times of London carried a headline that blared: “Give Up Meat to Save the Planet.” Former Vice President Al Gore, who has made climate change his signature issue, has even been assailed for omnivorous eating by animal rights activists.

It’s true that food production is an important contributor to climate change. And the claim that meat (especially beef) is closely linked to global warming has received some credible backing, including by the United Nations and University of Chicago. Both institutions have issued reports that have been widely summarized as condemning meat-eating.

However, as the author argues, "that’s an overly simplistic conclusion to draw from the research." Read the rest of Ms. Niman's thought-provoking counterpoint here...