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Does certified organic farming reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production? Comment on the McGee study

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Muller

    (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)

  • Eduardo Aguilera

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Colin Skinner

    (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)

  • Andreas Gattinger

    (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
    Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)

Abstract

A recent study by McGee (Agriculture and Human Values, 32, 255–263, 2015) from the University of Oregon has led to discussions in international media and on the web. This study addresses an interesting question and applies advanced statistics for its analysis. However, we identify several methodological flaws that invalidate the results. First, McGee tests a hypothesis that does not correspond to his main question and which does not allow McGee to derive the conclusions that are drawn in his paper and reported in the media coverage. Second, the data used are not adequate for the analysis because: i) the dependent variable does not reflect the greenhouse gas emissions characteristics of organic agriculture (e.g. different emission factors in organic and conventional agriculture or avoidance of emissions from fertilizer production), ii) the explanatory variables neglect the livestock sector, and iii) trade aspects are missing. Third, McGee fails to discuss his findings in the light of quite a substantial body of experimental, bio-physical research from the US and elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Muller & Eduardo Aguilera & Colin Skinner & Andreas Gattinger, 2016. "Does certified organic farming reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production? Comment on the McGee study," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 33(4), pages 943-947, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:33:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s10460-016-9706-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-016-9706-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Julius McGee, 2015. "Does certified organic farming reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(2), pages 255-263, June.
    2. Thomas L. Marsh, 2005. "Economic substitution for US wheat food use by class," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 49(3), pages 283-301, September.
    3. David Tilman & Michael Clark, 2014. "Global diets link environmental sustainability and human health," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 518-522, November.
    4. Richard York, 2012. "Do alternative energy sources displace fossil fuels?," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(6), pages 441-443, June.
    5. Deaton, Angus S & Muellbauer, John, 1980. "An Almost Ideal Demand System," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(3), pages 312-326, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Julius Alexander McGee, 2016. "Does certified organic farming reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production? Reply to Muller et al," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 33(4), pages 949-952, December.

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