I have been investigating this important question.
1. A 3-litre diesel Toyota Landcruiser Prado driving 14,000 km/year burns 3.3 t/year CO2 equivalent
(http://www.rightcar.govt.nz)
2. A Toyota Prius driving 14,000 km/year burns 1.2 t/year CO2 equivalent
3. University of Chicago researchers claim the average American diet requires the production of an extra ton and a half of CO2 equivalent, compared to a vegetarian diet.
(http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-04/uoc-svd041306.php)
So, trade the Landcruiser for a Prius and reduce your footprint by 2.2 tonnes.
Or switch from meat eating to vegetarian and save 1.5 t.
Conclusion: ditch the SUV and you can keep eating meat.
Or ride your bike and go vego: save 4.8 t.
Submitted by Patrick on 30 June 2008 21:53:21
Comments
Interesting thought, Patrick.
Fortunately there are other options, too. For a start I would hope that most of us don't have an "Average American diet" because their serving sizes are huge! Also most of our beef & lamb in NZ comes from pasture-fed animals rather than ones that live on feed lots and eat grain that has been trucked in.
Personally I choose not to eat red meat or chicken, although I do eat fish, eggs and dairy. I have friends who eat a lot of meat but they choose to only eat organic, free range meat. I have other friends who choose an exclusively plant-based (vegan) diet.
One friend has been a vegetarian for many years but recently decided he would eat wild-caught meat such as deer, wild pigs, fish caught by himself or given to him by family & friends.
Every little bit helps, and hopefully the people most likely to read the comments on this forum are thinking about both their dietary and transportation options, not just one or the other!
Submitted by Lindis on 1 July 2008 13:11:02
Hi Patrick, thanks for your comment and welcome to sustainability.govt.nz. You make a very interesting point about how our lifestyle impacts on the planet. I look forward to more of your insights.
Submitted by Andrew on 2 July 2008 14:38:46
As you probably know the Prius has now been touted as having a larger carbon footprint than many non-hybrid fuel efficient vehicles, on account of the NiMH batteries which are nasty pieces of work.
Vehilces using long lasting, light and compact LiFePO4 batteries are considerably better for the environment. These batteries (supposedly) can be popped into your garden to fertilise your self grown veges at the end of their lifecycle :) ( PO4 is phosphate afterall )
I am working like other kiwi enthusiasts on creating 100% electric vehicles. Be great if you could add your opinion to my survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pKXm_2brIPpCg7Kfj0y_2fWR7Q_3d_3d
Sustainable transport for all!
Submitted by Electricrider on 4 January 2009 13:03:21