The above infographic was created for the Science Media Centre to coincide with the launch of the revised New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) which came in to effect last July.
New Zealand emissions have grown by over 20% above 1990 levels. The ETS is a first attempt to price carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, in a bid to reduce emissions growth.
As the diagram clearly shows, there’s not an elephant, but a giant cow in the room.
Alternative Design
Here’s an earlier concept which didn’t make the cut…
3 responses to “Milking the Climate”
Oh dear, that paints a pretty clear picture not everyone will like. Amazing how the use of your little icons really adds meaning. I laughed out loud, felt guilty, was resentful of farmers, spluttered on my coffee (with milt in it) felt hypocritical, tweeted your infographic and thought about a completely unrelated poster of cat-woman I remember from my childhood all at the same time.
Great graphic. Very clear. It’s just a shame you couldn’t add something like a gaseous cloud coming out from the cow’s bum, with the 47% figure there. It would have been a nice touch. š
Strictly speaking that figure accounts for all agriculture, including sheep farming, swine and deer. But dairy/cattle do make up the vast majority of these emissions.