Global warming is intensifying due to population growth and food production

Abstract

Between 1970 and 2020 global temperatures rose by 0.28⁰C or 40% more than the 0.7⁰C predicted by climate models based upon radiative forcing from greenhouse gas emissions. Over the same period, the Earth’s human population more than doubled, while the total mass of other mammals and birds that are farmed for human consumption tripled. To determine whether heat produced by these warm-blooded animals and birds was responsible for the temperature rise, publicly available databases were scrutinized for human population growth and livestock production^, as well as global energy use, and heat emission values were calculated. Using the heat transfer equation, the total calculated temperature rise from biological heat production by warm-blooded animals over the surveyed time period was found to be sufficient to account for the observed temperature rise, not counting a small additional contribution from industrial waste heat. Subject to verification of the methods used in this analysis, recalculation of greenhouse gas emission targets may be required, with consideration given to measures aimed at both reducing population growth and production of animals for human consumption.