It may surprise you to know that livestock produces more greenhouse gas than the world’s entire transportation industry. Um, yes. Read that again. oof! It may not be surprising then that, according to Grist.org, if every American gave up meat for just one day a week, it would be the equivalent of taking eight million cars off the road.
If you need more to convince you, in addition to producing significant amounts of methane that contributes to global warming and climate change, there are other environment impacts, including:
- Land Use: The land required for grazing livestock and growing feed crops like soybeans and corn is extensive. Deforestation often occurs to create more grazing land or or food for cattle.
- Water Use: Livestock farming requires vast amounts of water for drinking, cleaning, and growing feed crops. Water pollution can also result from runoff contaminated with animal waste and agricultural chemicals.
- Pollution: Animal waste from farms can contaminate water sources with excess nutrients, antibiotics, and pathogens, harming aquatic ecosystems and human health.
- Energy Consumption: Producing meat requires more energy compared to plant-based foods, for feed production, transportation, processing, and refrigeration.
- Loss of Biodiversity: Clearing land for livestock farming reduces habitats for wildlife, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Additionally, intensive farming practices often rely on monoculture crops, which further reduces biodiversity.
- Antibiotic Resistance: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal agriculture can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a threat to human health.
While red meat can be a good source of essential nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, over-consumption, especially of processed red meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats, has been associated with certain health risks, including:
- heart disease
- increased risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer
- developing type 2 diabetes
- weight gain
- digestive discomfort or an increased risk of diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome
The key is to consume meat mindfully and with moderation. Reducing your meat consumption or choosing sustainably produced meat will reduce environmental burdens and the health risks. One of my heroes, Michael Pollan, suggests giving up meat entirely unless it is “grass fed” or “pastured” meat. Or you can adopt a plant-based diet or incorporate more plant-based foods into meals.
To help extend our life on this planet and get healthy too, change your meat game! It’s a win win!