Cutting down our meat consumption to help our planet

The environment is a topic that I recently became interested in. My roommate this year is an environmental guru and I feel like she has rubbed off on me. I started researching different things that are harmful to the environment and surprisingly one of the biggest contributors to harming the environment is meat consumption or the production of meat. I have been researching the effects that the meat industry has on the environment and the results are unbelievable. Now I’m not a vegetarian by any means, my roommate is one but she has not been able to convince me to give up meat all together although I do cut out a substantial amount of meat now that I know how harmful it is to the environment. For example, FArg noted that the energy it takes to produce four nine ounce steaks is enough to power a 100 watt light bulb for 20 hours. I could not believe that this much energy was being wasted for four servings of meat. By cutting out four servings of meat a week I am saving 20 hours of energy and you could do it too! Leaving a couple servings of meat out of your diet isn’t hard at all and actually which one of us couldn’t benefit from more grains, vegetables, or fruits in our diet? I know that I most certainly could. I don’t even miss it and as I mentioned I like meat as much as anyone else. Many will argue that cutting meat out of your diet is dangerous but I’m here to tell you that the average 150 pound person only needs 56 grams of protein a day and that can be easily attained by cheese, nuts, beans, rice, and other protein rich foods. Another great thing that cutting meat out of our diet can do for the environment is limit the amount of livestock that we need on our planet. We have all heard the stories about how harmful methane is for the environment but did you know that it is 20 times more harmful than CO2? Livestock are the biggest contributors of methane and if we reduced the amount of meat that we consume we could reduce the demand for meat so that livestock industries wouldn’t have to raise so many animals that are emitting methane into the atmosphere at a rate of 80 million metric tons annually according to EPA.gov. That is an extreme amount and for what, a few extra servings of meat? I care about our planet as well as everyone should because it’s the only home that we have and once we make it unlivable we are doomed. I wanted to make a difference and honestly this is the easiest and most cost efficient way. I am a college student and quite poor, although it would be great to drive a hybrid car or have solar panels power my home that is just not feasible at this period in my life. But cutting out four servings of meat a week definitely is. We all are capable of making and impact on this planet the choice is yours if you want to make a negative impact or a positive one. You don’t need to make big changes to make a big difference.

 

Very good thinking

Part of the wholistic change we need.

If the masses demand it, the needs will be fullfilled. It begins with the farmers, they need to stop spraying their fields... ALL of them... better to lose some of the crop to bugs than poison the population - through the food itself AND the water system...

I say with nearly every trip to the grocery store - "I want more real foods, I want more 100% not from concentrate juices, I want NO preservatives"... talking to managers, talking to cashiers, talking to other customers... I dont know what measurable difference it has made, but why not spread the word?

If the masses can get off meat, it will be *DEMANDED* that the vegetables increase in quality and decrease in poison.

Then maybe at some point we'll stop flouridating the water.

Then maybe once everyone is feeling good we can truly revolutionize this place... though maybe we should do it all at once?

Thanks for posting

 

I congratulate you! You, who have admitted to liking meat, has agreed to put off several servings of meat a week. Good job!! I know many who would never be willing to do this, and I've talked to several about issues like this along with other reasons why the meat industry is destroying the planet. Most just say, "Oh! That's Horrible!" then go back to their chicken sandwiches. But you have made a sacrifice, and while it's not a full switch, you should feel good that you have made your difference in the world, no matter how small.

I see you are new to this forum. Well, I really like your passion, and so I think you would fit in well here. You should probably sign up for a full account, because I know that there are many other people on here that share your feelings. Plus you may pick up some other issue that you find an unknown interest in.

I hope, if you feel strongly enough about this, that you continue to do your research and educate others. Education is key!!

Perhaps, later you may consider making a switch to vegetarianism? I understand that you have a attachment to meat, but if you care that much about the enviroment, then taking meat completely out of your diet will certainly make a HUGE impact. It may sound very intimidating, trust me, I know, but once you make the switch, you will certainly feel much, much better. It will make you feel good that you are doing your small part, and you will have a lot more energy too. It's overall healthier than a diet with meat, not to mention it'll boost your self esteem, just being able to break free from the crowd. You may not reach all these, but I'm sure it'll just be overall a VERY good switch.

But, regardless of whether you become a vegetarian, cutting out a couple of servings of meat will help you now and later. Congratulations! And good luck!

 

you must be fucking high

oh wait this is the hipforums so most people on here are

 

We're trying to doing our part now. All our meat will come from hunting, fishing and our free-range chickens.

 

The problem isn't meat consumption, it's sustainability.

I wouldn't believe all these facts that these survey companies give you. If you have a pasture and you let the cows free range, then really you're just working with the environment. But if you use fertilizers to grow soybeans, use soybeans to feed cows, and pump water from a hundred miles away to feed your cows then that is a waste of energy.

It's not about "more meat less meat". It's about knowing how the meat got there. It's about being local. For ex. I live in Ohio and we have a serious "deer problem" here, yet you will never find deer in the retail stores. One reason why don't find local meats in the stores is cuz many supermarkets wipe out local stores.

All in all though I am very glad that you have taken a genuine interest in protecting the environment. It's a path that's definately going to open your eyes about the crazy way in which we live.

 

sounds good to me i will take your meat portions then. MMMMMMM I love to have a big juicy steak or a nice burger. I can think of nope cant we have meat with every i mean every single meal. sausage for breakfast, burgers or chicken or rost for dinner and the same for supper. Yes I am a farmer/ rancher I raise cows, corn, beans, sometimes flowers. and wheat. I am glad you are trying to be more contiencous(sp) about the enviroment but come on, there will always be meat. If the cows farting is sooooo bad why is it you could stand out in a feild of 350 cows all day, and mabey hear one fart. Belive me when i say because i am around cattle almost on a daily basis that this is one of those thought up wack jobs thinking.