Al Gore criticized for eating meat diet that contributes to global warming

Monday, October 08, 2007 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
Tags: Al Gore, global warming, meat industry

(NewsTarget) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other animal rights groups have criticized former Vice President Al Gore for ignoring the effects of industrial meat production in his Academy Award-winning 2006 documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."

"An Inconvenient Truth," which won the award for "Best Documentary" from 18 different film groups, outlines the potentially catastrophic consequences of global warming and examines many of the industries that contribute to the problem -- but not the meat industry.

In March, PETA issued a press release citing a United Nations report, "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options," which concluded that animal agriculture are responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, substantially more than the 13.5 percent produced by all forms of transportation combined.

Citing a University of Chicago study that determined that adopting a vegan diet causes a greater reduction in a person's climate footprint than switching from a standard U.S. automobile to a hybrid Toyota Prius, PETA challenged Gore to set a good example by going vegetarian.

"The best and easiest way for Mr. Gore to show his critics that he's truly committed to fighting global warming is to kick his meat habit immediately," said PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk.

Gore did not meet PETA's challenge. As a consequence, when he travels to Denver on his global warming lecture circuit, protesters will be waiting outside with pictures of him holding a drumstick and bearing the caption, "Too chicken to go vegetarian? Meat is the No. 1 cause of global warming."

In addition to the film, Gore also released a book of the same title, which contains expanded information and commentary. He has also participated in a 2007 documentary called "An Update with Former Vice President Al Gore" to discuss issues that arose since the completion of "An Inconvenient Truth."