TNG Flashback: The Environmental Impact of Your Diet

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

The work day is almost over. We hope you use your last ounce of concentration to revisit this year-old TNG article. Originally published by Michael on 1/29/2008

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?