The Virtual Pub

Come Inside... => Saloon Bar => Topic started by: Grumpmeister on December 11, 2007, 12:01:17 PM

Title: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Grumpmeister on December 11, 2007, 12:01:17 PM
So basically if we want to 'save the planet' we are going to have to give up Chrismas Dinner? Any takers?

Quote
A carbon footprint equivalent to 6,000 car journeys around the world will be produced by the UK tucking into Christmas dinner, researchers say.
It is claimed the UK's love of the traditional turkey dinner will generate 51,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Academics calculated the production, processing and transportation costs of the festive ingredients.

The Manchester researchers estimate a dinner for eight generates 20kg (44lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions.

They arrived at the total emissions figure by assuming one third of the UK population eats a typical Christmas meal.

Methane emissions

Project leader professor Adisa Azapagic, from the University of Manchester, said: "Food production and processing are responsible for three quarters of the total carbon footprint, with the largest proportion - 60% - being related to the life cycle of the turkey.

"All stages in the supply chain have been considered, including raising the turkey, growing the vegetables, food storage, consumer shopping, cooking the meal at home and waste management.

"This includes the emissions of carbon dioxide due to energy consumption along the turkey supply chain and the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide generated due to the agricultural activities to raise the turkey."

The cranberry sauce alone, normally imported from North America, contributes half the carbon footprint related to transport.
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Nick on December 11, 2007, 12:03:41 PM
I hate cranberries, which makes me greener than thou.

Tossers. I bet all those scientists will be dining on local seasonal fare (squashed squirrel)
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Darwins Selection on December 11, 2007, 12:03:53 PM
So basically if we want to 'save the planet' we are going to have to give up Chrismas Dinner? Any takers?

Quote
A carbon footprint equivalent to 6,000 car journeys around the world will be produced by the UK tucking into Christmas dinner, researchers say.
It is claimed the UK's love of the traditional turkey dinner will generate 51,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Academics calculated the production, processing and transportation costs of the festive ingredients.

The Manchester researchers estimate a dinner for eight generates 20kg (44lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions.

They arrived at the total emissions figure by assuming one third of the UK population eats a typical Christmas meal.

Methane emissions

Project leader professor Adisa Azapagic, from the University of Manchester, said: "Food production and processing are responsible for three quarters of the total carbon footprint, with the largest proportion - 60% - being related to the life cycle of the turkey.

"All stages in the supply chain have been considered, including raising the turkey, growing the vegetables, food storage, consumer shopping, cooking the meal at home and waste management.

"This includes the emissions of carbon dioxide due to energy consumption along the turkey supply chain and the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide generated due to the agricultural activities to raise the turkey."

The cranberry sauce alone, normally imported from North America, contributes half the carbon footprint related to transport.

Knowing the Selection family, the 'carbon' produced by cooking and the amount of methane are both underestimated.  redface:
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Barman on December 11, 2007, 12:04:07 PM
What a pile o' shite... compared to what if everybody just ate and drank normally?

I wonder how much CO2 the 'researchers' and their university produce between them?
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: chuntering again on December 11, 2007, 02:34:32 PM
What a load of shite. How many car journeys does Christmas dinner take off the road? Probably a fair bit more than 6,000.
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Snoopy on December 11, 2007, 02:36:59 PM
Have they factored in the charred "Roast Parsnips" that my MiL specialises in? So much carbon that with a little pressure they'd be diamonds
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Nick on December 11, 2007, 06:30:59 PM
There's money in parsnips then.


DARWIN!
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: grumpyoldsoldier on December 11, 2007, 07:41:04 PM
 Adisa Azapagic? He sound like an emission!
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Darwins Selection on December 11, 2007, 07:41:41 PM
There's money in parsnips then.


DARWIN!

I predict a terrible shortage of parsnips.

Buy now to avoid disappointment, or join our Farepak Vegetable Club.
Title: Re: The carbon footprint of Christmas Dinner
Post by: Snoopy on December 11, 2007, 07:42:57 PM
Adisa Azapagic? He sound like an emission!

Ah'll 'ave thee know tha's a reet grand Lancashire name is that.  whistle: