Truly bizarre claim by Norwegian whalers

A prominent Norwegian pro-whaling lobby has made claims that are sure to cause controversy around the world. The basis of the claim is that eating whale is more environmentally friendly than eating regular meat such as beef or chicken.

The environmental activists Greenpeace immediately dismissed the groups’ findings. And in addition, that nearly every other type of human food is friendlier to the climate than meat.

The pro-whaling group has produced the results of the survey that are based on the fuel usage of whaling fleets. These results show that a kilo of meat from whales is the equivalent of only 1.9 kilos of greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand beef produces nearly 16 kg of greenhouse gases and chicken is responsible for over 4 1/2 kilos.

High North Alliance which is represents the of communities in the Arctic, said through its spokesman Rune Froevik “Basically it turns out that the best thing you can do for the planet is to eat whale meat compared to other types of meat,”

Moreover, “Greenhouse gas emissions caused by one meal of beef are the equivalent of eight meals of whale meat,”

The Norway-based group said this was the first time there had been a measurement of the “carbon footprint” of whaling.

This is the latest in a string of claims from the two main whaling countries Japan and Norway in an effort to back their continued whaling activities. Norway also claims that minke whales are plentiful in North Atlantic waters, and that their 2000 quota of just over 1000 animals will not deplete populations.

Even if we accept that carbon footprint argument, the logical conclusion of this survey is that we should all rush out to stock up on Tiger steaks and Panda burgers.