Climate: When the taste for meat doesn’t justify its overconsumption
For many of us, the taste and smell of meat doesn’t leave us indifferent, it’s true! But too much meat consumption has an impact on the climate, so why not reduce it?
Meat consumption and intensive breeding emit slightly more CO2 on the planet than all transport[1]. Livestock farming accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the 14% emitted by the transport sector[2].
Livestock farming is responsible for the release of two powerful greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide and methane, due to the use of fertilizers for crops and the digestion of ruminants.
According to an FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) estimation, 83% of the world’s agricultural land is now used to feed animals[3]. Indeed, these animals are more and more fattened with wheat, corn or GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) soybeans and not only with grass. To produce 1 kg of meat, it is necessary to produce up to 7 kg or even 12 kg of cereals. Therefore, several thousands of hectares are deforested every year in the world to make way for pastures for cattle. Agriculture is responsible for 70% of deforestation, especially in the Amazon where the forest is razed to install cattle farms.
As for water consumption, it takes 15,000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of beef, 6,000 liters for 1 kg of pork[4] and 4,000 liters for 1 kg of poultry[5].
Industrial livestock farms are also the source of water pollution due to nitrate and phosphorus from the spreading of manure and slurry. Pesticides and fertilizers also contaminate the environment.
By eating less meat, you can help reduce the impact on the environment!
[1] https://www.cnews.fr/monde/2020-07-22/la-consommation-de-viande-premiere-cause-du-rechauffement-climatique-725924
[2] https://leszhomnivores.fr/elevage-transport/
[3] https://www.cnews.fr/monde/2020-07-22/la-consommation-de-viande-premiere-cause-du-rechauffement-climatique-725924
[4] https://weekend.levif.be/lifestyle/culinaire/quelle-quantite-d-eau-est-elle-necessaire-pour-produire-de-la-viande-et-des-legumes/article-normal-404533.html?cookie_check=1648736509
[5] https://www.rtbf.be/article/combien-de-litres-d-eau-faut-il-vraiment-pour-produire-un-kilo-de-viande-de-boeuf-9541099
