If you’re worried about the environment, you may wonder whether to continue eating meat. Food manufacturer has environmental impacts because it uses land and water. Therefore, eating foods that are made with fewer resources is often said to be better for the planet. Plant foods are generally considered more eco-friendly than meat and animal products, and vegetarian or vegan diets are often labeled as sustainable. Though, there are many facts to consider when assessing the environmental impact of meat. In fact, there may be methods to eat meat more sustainably, and eat less of it, without giving it up entirely. In this article examines the nuances of meat’s environmental footprint, and then discusses tips for eating meat on an eco-friendly regime.

The environmental influences of meat in raising animals for food require huge amounts of water and land. It also donates to greenhouse gas emissions over animal manure, feed and methane that are ejected through burping. In fact, livestock are accountable for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Also, raising cattle industrially leads to soil erosion, deforestation, air pollution and freshwater contamination. Beef is thought to have a greater environmental impact than eggs, or chicken, dairy, fish and pork, but the footprint of these foods differs based on how they’re formed. Whole, slightly processed plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and olive oil have among the lowest environmental effect. Still, it’s hard to compare every kind of animal and plant product. Some plant foods, such as certain nuts and highly-processed items, have far larger environmental effects than other plant-based selections. Regulating dairy cows’ diet to include a specific type of seaweed has been revealed to improve ingestion and reduce methane emissions by up to 60%. In beef cattle, the reduction in methane emissions from seaweed supplements may be up to 80%. Meat contains essential micronutrients and is very rich in protein. Some individuals may not have access to nutritionally adequate plant-based diets, meaning that a lesser meat intake may damage their livelihoods and nutrition. Eating meat may also be an integral part of their culture or traditions. Finally, well-managed cattle can help keep soil and land healthy. Appropriate grazing techniques may make land extra resilient to floods and keep carbon in the soil in its place of released into the atmosphere.

The environmental effect of meat is generally better than that of plant foods. Meat production uses huge amounts of land and resources, but some methods related to raising animals may benefit on maintaining healthy ecosystems.

DMO II Karla P. Calapardo, RND

Reference:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eco-friendly-meat-eating