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15
2007
Landfills Aren’t The Only Ones That Pass Gas
Filed in: Waste & RecyclingReader Question
Ashley,
I recently heard a statistic that stated that Calgary’s landfills account for more greenhouse gases than all of the cars on Calgary’s roads. Is this true? Also, what is the contribution of cattle to climate change?
Thanks,
Monica
Ashley's Answer
Hello Monica,
That’s a great question and I must say that I’ve heard statistics of a similar nature. In fact, the City’s website states: “today, The City’s three active landfill sites are our biggest source of greenhouse gases.” This statement might lead a person to believe that this is certainly the case. I believe, though, that this statement refers to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the City of Calgary as a corporate unit. In Calgary, as a whole, only 3% of the total GHG emissions come from landfills. The vast majority come from electricity generation (46%), vehicles (27%) and natural gas (24%). Alberta’s heavy reliance on coal explains the electricity component and it’s not difficult to imagine the impact that nearly 600,000 vehicles in Calgary are having on climate change. While the landfill component is relatively small, we should not trivialize its contribution to climate change.
Even at 3%, Calgary’s landfills were responsible for 443 kT of GHGs in 2003. Simply put, this is the equivalent of nearly 74,000 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) over the course of a year. Keep in mind that this is just the GHGs coming off the landfills and does not include those that would have been saved had the materials been recycled and turned into new products. I say this because products made from recycled content require anywhere from 5% to 95% less energy than products made from virgin materials. They use less energy and thus less GHGs are produced – simple as that. Certainly, if we were to include all of the foregone recycling opportunities in the GHG totals, the 3% total would rise substantially.
Now, to address the second part of your question: what is the contribution of cattle to climate change? A recent report called Livestock’s Long Shadow concludes that livestock – yes this includes Alberta’s beloved cow – is responsible for 18% of the worlds GHG emissions. When you look beyond cow farts (a natural consequence of enteric fermentation) and consider things like the production of fertilizer for their feed, the breakdown of manure, land use changes, the fossil fuel use during feed and animal production, and the transportation of the final product, you begin to understand that all of the relish in the world won’t be able to cover up this intricate set of problems. I guess it can be said that what’s good for the heart is also good for the planet.
If you wish to read more on climate change I’d recommend checking out the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) website. The IPCC is the work of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), created to evaluate the risk of climate change brought on by humans. Their reports are based on peer reviewed and published scientific/technical literature. And if you find yourself surrounded by climate change doubters, you may want to check out Grist’s guide on “How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic.” For the next time some one whips out the “Mars and Pluto are also warming” argument you’ll be prepared.
Unsmogly,
Ashley
Ashley Lubyk, BSc. in Environmental Science, is the founder of the Healthy Homes program at Green Calgary. Please send your environmental questions to Ashley.