Meat's Environmental Impact

Overview

• Global meat consumption is expected to double by 2020, though this might be affected by economic downturns.
• The meat industry provides food and livelihoods but has significant environmental and health impacts.
• A Stanford University research team is assessing these impacts and offering solutions.

Key Researchers

• Harold A. Mooney: Professor of Biology, senior fellow at Woods Institute for the Environment.
• Rosamond L. Naylor and Walter P. Falcon: Collaborators in the research.
• Received funding through a two-year Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) grant.

Environmental and Social Impacts

• Livestock production accounts for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Use of agricultural land: 2/3 for livestock feed, only 8% for direct human food consumption.
• Deforestation, soil erosion, and freshwater depletion are notable impacts.
• Antibiotic resistance concerns due to extensive use in livestock.

Global Livestock Trends

• The meat industry's growth mirrors population growth and GDP increases in developing countries.
• Industrialized livestock production is rising, reducing small free-roaming farms.
• Concentration of livestock leads to significant environmental burdens like runoff and odor.

Burden of Meat Production

• Complex interconnections exist in meat production, involving land and resource use across nations.
• Examples: Japan imports grain from Brazil for meat production, affecting both countries' environments.

Proposed Solutions

• Use the meat model for ongoing global assessment of livestock impacts.
• Policies should incentivize better management practices in land conservation, water, and fertilizer use.
• Encourage reduced meat consumption in developed countries.
• Address animal protein deficiencies in regions like southern Africa.

Conclusion

• Informing consumers about sustainable choices can lead to behavioral change and a more equitable world.

Additional Context

• Ongoing studies and discussions on climate change and water conservation.
• Related publications and media resources available through Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment.