[sam_ad id=”83″ codes=”true”]The average American eats 40% percent less beef now than they did in the peak consumption in 1976.
However, in 1976 the population of the U.S. was only 218 million. Today, it stands at 317 million and Americans are still eating too much beef. In fact, the U.S. is the world’s largest consumer and producer of beef.
Today, those who are anti-meat aren’t just rallying about animal cruelty – they’re also petitioning for a healthier environment as meat consumption contributes hugely to global warming and environmental degradation. It’s estimated that 14.5% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock.
That is more than the emissions that come from all forms of transportation.
Out of that percentage, beef alone makes up 41% of those emissions.
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Beef’s HUGE Footprint
Beef cattle production accounts for almost 90% of the land used for raising livestock in the U.S. This figure includes acreage that includes pasture as well as cropland for growing feed.
Last year, Brazil reported a 28% increase in Amazonian deforestation – 80% of deforested land in Brazil is used for cattle farming.
The result is a huge loss of biodiversity.
Graph via Sarah BurkeFeed
The amount of feed that’s needed to raise cattle is more than three times that needed of its closer competitor: Pork.
Graph via Sarah BurkeWater
Even if we were to combine the numbers from the other groups, beef still uses three times the amount of water than they do.
Graph via Sarah BurkeGreenhouse gases
Cattle’s specialised stomachs release dangerous gasses, such as methane, when the cow burps. Greenhouse gases from cattle production are 40% methane.
Graph via Sarah Burke
The Health Benefits of Reducing Your Meat Intake
Photo by Jean Henrique Wichinoski[sam_ad id=”85″ codes=”true”]
Reducing meat consumption is a growing trend, with the term “flexitarian” being used for those who are reducing their intake of meat, while not necessarily forgoing it altogether.
In 1971, only 1% of U.S. citizens described themselves as vegetarians, while a 2013 Public Policy Polling found 13% of Americans identify as vegetarian (6%) or vegan (7%).
The reasons for the switch are a mix between health and environmental considerations.
In a 2009 study published by the American Diabetes Association, meat-eaters had an average body mass index of 28.8, well above the upper limit of 25.0 that’s considered healthy by medical practitioners. However, people who avoided animal products had an average BMI of 23.6.
A Little Goes A Long Way
[sam_ad id=”80″ codes=”true”]Making the switch from meat-loving carnivore to that of vegetarian or vegan may be difficult, but that’s not necessarily the only way you can help make a difference.
The reality is, if we all did a little bit to reduce our footprint, we could make a huge environmental impact on the world, with every little effort on our part.
Follow in the footsteps of the Norwegian military who announced it is switching to a one-day-a-week vegetarian diet (like “Meatless Mondays”) in a move to combat global warming, and just make one of your days during the week vegetarian. Try new non-meat alternatives, you might even like them!
(I recommend the veggie mince by YVES as a replacement for your weekly minced beef spaghetti bolognese as a start!)
For more inspiration, check out Greener Ideal’s own selection of “homegrown” recipes!
If you’re a vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian – or you just want some more information on reducing your consumption of meat, please leave a comment below! We’d love to hear from you!
I love a good steak or burger as much as anyone. But I’m giving it up because I don’t need cows polluting the air I breathe or drinking the water I need for basic survival. Instead of complaining, we should be looking for ways to cleanse our air and save our drinking water. The human body can only last about 72 hours (3 DAYS!) without it. Methane, a by-product of cows, which is deadly toxic to humans, has increased 250 percent in our atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution began! The epidemic of respiratory and pulmonary diseases is coming. It’s already started right here in the American Midwest, in the heartland. The human body was not designed to breathe methane.
Here here! I couldn’t agree more! It’s really important that people are educated about the facts relating to beef in particular so we don’t make this earth inhabitable any faster than we already are. Every little helps so congrats on giving up the beef!