The Environmental Impact of Your Diet

TNG is taking a much needed break from Dec 19-Jan 4. TNG will return with new content on Jan 5. Until then, please enjoy this post from the past year. Original publish date: 1/29/2008

(Image from eMagazine's article "The Case Against Meat")

I just stumbled upon a well-done article in the New York Times that discusses the environmental impacts of meat production. Basically, meat is worse for the environment than cars. This is a must read for anyone who is even slightly concerned about the environment.

I've posted some interesting statements culled from the article below the fold...

• Energy Use: If everyone in the US ate 20% less meat, that would be the equivalent of every American switching from a sedan to a Toyota Prius. The energy needed to produce one kilogram (2.2 lb) of beef is the same as that needed to light a 100-watt incandescent light bulb for 20 days.
• Efficiency of Food Production: One pound of beef takes up to 5 pounds of grain to "make." Instead, that grain could be fed to people.
• Global Warming: Production of meat generates 20% (one-fifth!) of the world's greenhouse gases, more than transportation.
• Health: The average American eats about twice the US RDA of protein daily, 80% of which comes from meat. (We would do find with a 75% reduction in protein!)

The article is actually the best rationale for being vegetarian I've seen in a while, and it doesn't mention animal rights until 3/4ths of the way through the text. It does mention, however, some really nasty approaches people are thinking of to "grow" meat without all the negative side effects.

I have been vegetarian for over 15 years now, and a lot of my reasoning behind it is environmental. I've been thinking about posting recipes and techniques for meat-free cooking here on TNG. Would you be interested? Are you capable of being satisfied after a meal while eating low on the food chain?