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I’ll admit, I’m definitely someone who enjoys a good burger or steak every once in a while, but even if you’re like me and just can’t seem to hop on the vegetarian or vegan bandwagon, it’s still important to cut down on your meat consumption.
According to a recent article posted on The Guardian, eating less meat is presumed to be “the best thing you can do for the planet in 2019.” While recycling efforts, energy conservation, and using sustainable products definitely helps, did you know that the effects of deforestation for livestock farming, in combination with the methane emissions from cows and fertilizer use, produces as much greenhouse gas emissions as the entire world’scars, trucks and airplanes?
Keegan Kuhm, creator of the documentary Cowspiracy, speaks out about the dramatic environmental impact meat consumption has on our planet:
“Right now, we’re living in the largest mass extinction seen on this planet in 65 million years. The leading cause of species extinction around the world is raising animals for food. We clear massive areas of natural habitat for endangered and threatened species to make room for livestock. We wipe out the ability of those species to recover from imminent extinction.”
Scientists have supported these statements, warning that we are headed into the world’s 6thmass extinction, and that a massive reduction of meat consumption could help prevent the detrimental effects of climate change.
Scientists also recommend shifting to a “flexitarian” type diet – which consists of eating more plant-based foods in place of meats (think tofu, peas and beans to help get your protein) while still incorporating some meats in here and there… and who knows, insect protein seems to be on the rise as well (although I can’t get on board with that one quiteyet).
Either way, cattle ranching is determined to be the number one biggest cause of deforestation in the Amazon, and our planet seriously needs our help – so even if you don’t plan to fully give up meat, every effort toward reducing your consumption of it counts!
Who’s on board?
