Meat consumption mauling Mother Earth

Cowboy guarding cattle meant for the slaughterhouse – Anne Worner

Connoisseurs of non-vegetarian delicacies may not be aware that meat consumption damages the environment in myriad manners. With the harm not being visible fast enough, we tend to believe that eating animals for food has little or nothing to do with the health of the planet. 

Scientists disagree. Their research has brought to light the damage that meat consumption inflicts on the planet. Let us have a look at their findings based on global data.

Greenhouse gas emissions: The livestock sector is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. By trapping the sun’s heat, these emissions contribute to global warming and climate change, disrupting the usual balance of nature. Cows, goats and sheep burp methane as they digest grasses and plants. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the livestock sector accounts for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The production of red meat is particularly carbon-intensive, with beef having a carbon footprint that is several times larger than that of chicken or pork.

Pig farming is big business in England – Keith Evans

Land use: Livestock production also requires a significant amount of land, both for grazing and for growing feed crops. According to a study published in the journal Nature, livestock production uses around 80% of the world’s agricultural land. This can contribute to deforestation, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity.

Water use: The production of meat also requires large amounts of water, both for raising animals and for growing feed crops. According to the Water Footprint Network, the global average water footprint of beef is 15,400 litres per kilogram, compared to 6,000 litres per kilogram for pork and 4,800 litres per kilogram for chicken.

Himalayan sheep with their owner

Other environmental impacts: In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use, meat production also has other environmental impacts, including air pollution, soil degradation, and water pollution from animal waste.

A number of studies have shown that reducing meat consumption can have significant environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use.

Worker at a Somali poultry farm- Amisom Public Information

Beyond the cowboy glamour

The cowboy belt in the US, which includes states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, is a major centre for livestock production and beef consumption. What is the impact of the cowboys’ activities which look so thrilling and glamorous in most Wild West films?

·        According to data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agriculture sector, which includes livestock production, is responsible for around 9% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. In Texas, which is the largest cattle-producing state in the US, the livestock sector is responsible for around 51 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.

·        Livestock production in the cowboy belt requires a significant amount of land. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Texas has the largest number of farms and ranches in the US, with around 248,000 operations covering over 130 million acres of land. Much of this land is used for grazing livestock, with cattle (read cows) being the most common type of animal.

·        Livestock production in the cowboy belt also requires large amounts of water, particularly for growing feed crops for cattle. According to a report from the Texas Water Development Board, livestock production accounts for around 60% of water use in the state, with beef production being the largest water user.

·        In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use, livestock production in the cowboy belt can also have other environmental impacts, such as air and water pollution from animal waste, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.

Keeping apart the ethics and morality of killing animals for food, shouldn’t we put our heads together to find alternatives that protect our environment?