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Washington Post Reports Meat Eating is 'Huge Contributor' to Climate Change

Discussion in 'Nature/Habitat/Garden Corner' started by OSimpson, Aug 14, 2009.

  1. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Last week, the Washington Post summarized a number of recent reports indicating that one of the best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint or greenhouse gas pollution is to reduce your meat consumption. Here are some quick highlights:

    > -A Carnegie Melon study found that the average American would benefit the planet more by being vegetarian one day per week than by switching to a totally local diet (heck, why not do both?).
    >
    > -A University of Chicago study found that switching to a vegan diet would have a bigger impact than trading your gas guzzler for a Prius.
    >
    > -The head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recommended that people give up meat one day a week to take pressure off the atmosphere.
    >
    > -According to a 2006 United Nations report, livestock accounts for 18 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
    >
    > Although we've reported similar studies in Organic Bytes over the years, it's refreshing to see a mainstream media outlet finally bring attention to the topic. Americans seem okay being told they should recycle, drive less, and weatherize their homes, but something short-circuits when you ask them to reduce their meat consumption.
     
  2. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    :flame: Excuse me! :blush:
     
  3. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    Meat growing, not meet eating, also growing cows for milk too, all that gas!!
     
  4. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    I think this is a good idea for many reasons. It probably would be healthy too.

    Drastic measures are not needed, but think of the impact if every person were to give up meat for just one day a week? Your doctor may like it.
     
  5. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    not a CHANCE i would do this. me loves me beef. if we werent supposed to eat animals, then they wouldn't be so darn tasty! :p

    i think it would have the equivlalent of a one day gas boycott, people will just double up the day before or after- therefore NULL EFFECT. and let's not forget how the assault and murder rates would go up- i for one am IMPOSSIBLE to be around if i am denied red, juicy, savory hunks of BEEF.

    don't mess with a nebraskans beef- it's askin' for trouble. :nono:
     
  6. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Dear Redon, why am I not surprised to hear your comment. But reality is, we are a nation of over-eating people. Some of us is seeing the bigger picture.
     
  7. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    So you seriously eat meat every.single.day? Or are you kidding?
     
  8. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    so- just because you eat meat doesn't mean you OVER eat. i whole heartedly agree- we DO eat to much as a nation. we also waste too much, and overuse energy- aren't those more realistic and important targets than my filet mignon? if you gotta pick your battles, forgive me but that seems like an impossible one-

    it's a battle you'll never even make a DENT in. i was-along with legions of omnivores like me- were raised on meat, enjoy meat, will never give up meat. life is short enough and i have enough responsibilities to even consider removing one of my favorite pleasures. sorry earth. :devil2:

    look on the bright side- we carnivores will die faster than the vegans due to cloggged arteries, so the earth will be aaaallll yours someday ;) well, yours and all the animals roaming around that you'll have to fight for the grain and veggies for dinner! I will die with my last meal including- you guessed it- MEAT.
    (this is all said in humor BTW- hope you aren't taking me TOO seriously. except the part about dying with a belly full of beef- THAT part i mean wholeheartedly.)

    and sharse- absolutely not always beef, but pork chicken, beef or fish are a part of at least one meal a day for me. today it was only scallops- does that count for gving up meat for a day??? see oya- i DO care. ;)
     
  9. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Meatless Tuesdays We did it in WWI, we did it in WWII..

    We did it before, we can do it again!
     
  10. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Our eating habits are so deeply ingrained that it is difficult to develop a new diet against our will. Add to this, the misconception, usually learned at an early age, that the only true source of protein comes from meat or eggs.

    Also, our consumption of a variety of meat is possible today because our standards of living have improved and yet the increase of diet related disease has escalated as well. Coincidence? Many meats are raised on corn (sugar) and treated with antibiotics and growth hormones and/or treated with nitrates as a preservative, proven to be cancer causing.

    The next time you throw a steak on the grill think about what you're actually smelling...it's burning flesh.
     
  11. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Right, OK. So back in the day Pops and his Krew did a quick study and theorized that the average DAIRY FARM could sustain itself via the cow gas it produced.

    The Govt declined the proposal 25 YEARS AGO.

    The crazy thing is that almost all of us already subscribe to this. How many of us take "leftovers" to work for lunch thus reducing the "production cost" of lunch? How many of us "order in" 2 x week thus taking advantage of "mass production" which reduces waste and carbon footprint.

    Look - the burdon of this should NOT fall on the consumer, but on the producer - seriously, there are an amazing amount of production & packaging alternatives on the planet but they are are all "hard.":bawling:

    We recycle as much as we can, but give up meat? Right - good luck with that. We are card carrying members of PETA:

    People
    Eating
    Tasty
    Animals

    OMNOMNOMNOM!!!!

    Oya - I love ya & what you stand for, but really, let's attack the real villains.
     
  12. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    I agree that in general terms the diet of the average american is terrible and that it's contributing to disease and overall poor health. But this post makes it sound like meat is to blame. Too much saturated fat in the diet isn't a good thing, but eating lean meats - even leaner cuts of beef - can make that better. I believe that processed foods, frozen quick foods and of course fast foods are by far the leading contributor to obesity and ill health. If a person cuts out white bread, white flour, white sugar, white rice (not to mention HFCS and hydrogenated oils) and replaces with healthier alternatives they'll see a big difference in their overall health and weight.
     
  13. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Yes, all the things you mention are contributors but the discussion focused on meats.

    Even chicken, considered a "healthy" alternative to red meat, is so full of pathogens that illness and deaths are not uncommon.

    Toxins from drugs and pesticides accumulate in animals and most of our exposure comes from eating animal flesh food.

    Fish, another "healthy" alternative to meat, contain pathogens and toxins, such as PCB's and mercury. More fish than not have organs riddled with tumors.

    Even milk and dairy products often contain BGH and, contrary to popular belief, is not the best source of calcium!

    Vegetables, too, contain pesticides and may lack the essential minerals necessary to our diets such as iron, usually due to over use of pesticides, not all the time, but often.

    The fiber and minerals associated with cancer fighting anti-oxidents can only be obtained by a plant source, not meat.

    It's all about individual choice.
     
  14. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i wholeheartedly agree with you there sharse. processed foods are the biggest difference between american diets and other countries with far healthier citizens. when i lived in Germany i marveled at how strong, vital and healthy the over 60 set there is. and in italy- same thing- spry into their 90s! they eat REAL food. meat, homemade pastas, freshly baked breads, fresh veggies and fruits. and they drank a lot of wine and beer! and they walk.

    it's just one part of the equaton that makes other cultures healthier than our own (and they eat ALOTTA MEAT.) we've switched to a more european style of cooking - we shop 2-3 times a week and buy only what we are cooking for the next 2 days. we haven't had a canned veggie in i don't know how long. i buy local produce when they have what i want- about half the time. i do feel like i'm doing MY part- my son eats so much healthier than i did at his age, and i've cut my fast food down to once a quarter as a favor to my stretch pants... :huh:

    ktdid hit it- it's individual choice. i'm glad oya is here pointing out the other side though- balance is great- i LOVE hearing about how the other half eats! ;)
     
  15. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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  16. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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  17. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    By the way I still eat meat, but where I get it from and how much has changed.
     
  18. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Oya, where can we see the full version of that second video? That looked interesting.
     
  19. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    http://www.foodincmovie.com/

    Arlington and Bethesda around here, but I am waiting to get it on DVD. I like to watch these at home with kids and talk about it...
     
  20. tigercpa

    tigercpa New Member

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    The sun is the only "huge contributor" to climate. Period.
     

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