Academic experts criticize the UN for excluding meat reduction from its climate action plan, highlighting the oversight's potential consequences on climate and health.
The report dismisses alternative proteins, ignoring their benefits in reducing environmental impacts compared to traditional livestock.
Concerns are raised over the lack of transparency in the FAO's selection process for its recommended actions.
Key quote:
"It's very striking: the FAO doesn’t include one of the clearest interventions that would help meet both environmental and health targets."
— Cleo Verkuijl, Stockholm Environment Institute US
Why this matters:
The livestock sector is estimated to account for about 14.5% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally. Reducing meat consumption can lead to lower demand for livestock production, thereby decreasing its environmental footprint and aiding in the fight against climate change.
Farmers who grow rapeseed for vegetable oil and biodiesel generate mountains of protein-rich meal byproduct that could significantly enrich the diets of livestock and even humans . . . if only it didn’t taste so terrible.
Beans are high in protein, efficient to grow, and can even improve soil health. They cost less than conventional or new plant-based meats, and they’re increasingly getting attention among foodies.
Pound for pound, raw lentils have more protein than steak. While not as protein-dense oncecooked, they pack even more iron than meat, in addition to other vitamins and minerals.
Growing interest in insect farming as a source of protein may have you wondering why anyone would want to eat a crunchy creepy-crawly rather than stick with traditional, mooing protein sources.
Sky News host Rowan Dean has proposed a “carbon neutral Big Mac recipe” to cut down methane emissions “in line with Labor's plan to save the planet from catastrophic climate change”.
