Greenhouse gas emissions
You might be surprised by how many more CO2e emissions are emitted by a wool knit than a cotton one. But it’s not so surprising, considering that animal agriculture contributes greatly to both global and national greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emissions which come from farmed animals are of great concern, as methane is 84x more potent than CO2 in the short-term.
Animal agriculture
‘Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.’
- Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations
‘In Australia, direct livestock emissions account for about 70% of greenhouse gas emissions by the agricultural sector and 11% of total national greenhouse gas emissions. This makes Australia’s livestock the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after the energy and transport sectors. Livestock are the dominant source of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), accounting for 56% and 73%, respectively, of Australia’s emissions.’
- Government of Western Australia
The CO2e emissions in your knit
CO2e , or carbon dioxide equivalent, is a term for describing all greenhouse gas emissions in one common unit.
When you make the exact same lightweight knit garment in wool and cotton, the difference in CO2e emissions is enormous.
A 350g Australian wool jumper = 12.81kg of CO2e
A 350g Australian cotton jumper = 476.1g of CO2e
In other words, the wool knit emits almost 27 times more CO2e emissions than the cotton knit.
Methane
Some greenhouse gasses pose greater risks to our planet, having a higher global warming potential. Methane is 84x more potent than CO2 in the short-term.
Enteric methane from ruminant animals like sheep and cattle contributes around 64% of Australia’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, so any reduction in methane will help to lower national emissions.
From the Australian Government: ‘Methane has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide, but it also has a much shorter half-life, so reducing methane now will have a much faster impact on global warming potential in the future... If you want to reduce enteric methane emissions, you can increase the proportion of land area under cropping.’
References
‘Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems…’
FAO
‘In Australia, direct livestock emissions account for about 70% of greenhouse gas emissions…’
Department of Primary Industries, WA Government
CO2e emissions in your knit…
CIRCUMFAUNA
Some greenhouse gases pose greater risks to our planet, having a higher global warming potential…
Environmental Defense Fund
Methane and the Australian Government
Department of Primary Industries, NSW Government