There are many ways meat based diets contribute to global warming. One of the main ways is through deforestation that is caused by expansion of pasture land and arable land used to grow feedcrops. According to the UN FAO, animal agriculture is responsible for about 9% of human-caused carbon emissions globally. Another reason is that ruminant animals like cattle produce methane (a 20 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide). The livestock sector is responsible for about 37% of human-caused methane emissions, and about 65% of human nitrous oxide emissions (mainly from manure). Producing beef creates the most carbon emissions because it requires significantly more resources than other sources of meat.
Actions to take
- Eating vegetables produces lower greenhouse gas emissions yet.
For example, potatoes, rice, and broccoli produce approximately
3–5 times lower emissions than an equivalent mass
of poultry and pork (Environmental Working Group 2011).
- Eat locally produced organic food from farmers markets to
decrease the emissions resulting from the
production and transport of food.
- Start Meatless Mondays.