Where’s the Beef? Many reading this will recognize the phrase used in Wendy’s commercials to tout the size of their hamburgers versus their competitors. What this has also done is created a worldwide cattle industry that ranks as the third largest greenhouse gas emitter compared to entire countries! Cattle and other ruminants are methane gas producers (which comes out as cow burps and some farts). This contribution of methane is 10 times more potent heat trapper in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. The main source of methane from ruminants is from the digestion process (burping and farting) and not from their manure. Manure is a whole different source involving decomposing bacteria which primarily produces NOx’s gases, which are both greenhouse gases and sources of acid rain.
So what can be done about these egregious emitters? Ditch the Beef! Replace a significant amount of your meat diet with plants. Not only is a plant – rich diet good for the world, it is also good for your health. Let’s look at the health/nutrition aspect for just a moment. According to DRAWDOWN, adults require an average of 50 grams of protein each day, however the average per capita consumption in 2009 was 68 grams per day which is 36% more than needed. In the US and Canada, the number is 90 grams of protein per day, almost double what is needed! This overconsumption of protein can lead to certain cancers, strokes, and heart disease. Just think what this is doing to our healthcare costs!
There are multiple studies that show the tremendous benefits of shifting from a meat – based diet to a plant – rich diet. Both the University of Oxford and the World Resources Institute reported results of 2016 studies in which their models show trillions of dollars in savings on health related issues alone – the Oxford study $30 trillion in savings accounting for the value of lives lost through 2050 if we can shift to a plant – rich diet around the world.
Both studies show these phenomenal savings, and that does not include the impact a plant – rich diet would have on global warming! Let’s look at some of the numbers found in DRAWDOWN and then close with predicted impacts.
- World Health Organization says only 10-15% of daily calories should come from protein, this is easily accomplished with a plant – rich diet.
- Emissions could be reduced by 70% if the world adopted a vegan diet, 65% if only vegetarian.
- Our predicted population by 2050 will demand 70% more food than 2006, and 95% more beef than 2006 unless we shift our diet.
- In 2013, $53 billion went to livestock subsidies in thirty-five countries worldwide.
- Adopting a plant – rich diet is estimated to reduce carbon emissions 66.11 gigatons by 2050.
IMPACT: Using country-level data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we estimate the growth in global food consumption by 2050, assuming that lower-income countries will consume more food overall and higher quantities of meat as economies grow. If 50 percent of the world’s population restricts their diet to a healthy 2,500 calories per day and reduces meat consumption overall, we estimate at least 26.7 gigatons of emissions could be avoided from dietary change alone. If avoided deforestation from land use change is included, an additional 39.3 gigatons of emissions could be avoided, making healthy, plant-rich diets one of the most impactful solutions at a total of 66 gigatons reduced.
