Many of the largest environmental concerns facing our society today stem from the world’s obsession with red meat. Grazing cattle are a major cause of erosion, land degradation, and even, according to most scientists, climate change (Steinfield 2006).
The production of livestock is, without question, the most anthropogenic (environmental pollution originating in human activity) enterprise that humans engage in. It accounts for the use of 70 percent of agricultural land and 30 percent of the entire land surface of Earth. The expansion of livestock production is a major motivator in the deforestation of many Latin and South American countries. In the Amazon, 70 percent of areas that were once forested are now grazing pastures and much of the …show more content…
In almost every culture, increased standards of living corresponds with more affordable meat, which is an attractive amenity to most people. Rising incomes in developing and highly populated countries mean that global meat consumption is projected to increase dramatically in the future, especially India and China (Ross 2011). This dramatic increase in meat consumption in the two countries with the largest populations on Earth could be devastating for the environment if consumers are not educated on the repercussions of their eating …show more content…
As in the chicken and the egg analogy, where does a paradigm shift begin, with consumer demand, producer strategy, or government policy? A study on food security and international relations claims, “It would make sense for increased political efforts to construct agricultural and food markets into more sustainable and human-focused forms” (Ross 2011). The research suggests that governments have strong holds on the current food system and significant power to address a shift towards reduced meat diets for the sake of our natural resources. I think that it will require market pressure from more well-educated consumers along with government incentives for producers in order for us to see any type of
The production of livestock is, without question, the most anthropogenic (environmental pollution originating in human activity) enterprise that humans engage in. It accounts for the use of 70 percent of agricultural land and 30 percent of the entire land surface of Earth. The expansion of livestock production is a major motivator in the deforestation of many Latin and South American countries. In the Amazon, 70 percent of areas that were once forested are now grazing pastures and much of the …show more content…
In almost every culture, increased standards of living corresponds with more affordable meat, which is an attractive amenity to most people. Rising incomes in developing and highly populated countries mean that global meat consumption is projected to increase dramatically in the future, especially India and China (Ross 2011). This dramatic increase in meat consumption in the two countries with the largest populations on Earth could be devastating for the environment if consumers are not educated on the repercussions of their eating …show more content…
As in the chicken and the egg analogy, where does a paradigm shift begin, with consumer demand, producer strategy, or government policy? A study on food security and international relations claims, “It would make sense for increased political efforts to construct agricultural and food markets into more sustainable and human-focused forms” (Ross 2011). The research suggests that governments have strong holds on the current food system and significant power to address a shift towards reduced meat diets for the sake of our natural resources. I think that it will require market pressure from more well-educated consumers along with government incentives for producers in order for us to see any type of