Want to help save the world? Eat only four portions of meat per week

10-02-2008 @6:43PM Michael Schmitt said... The article mentions that the study doesn't go to the extreme and advocate a vegan diet, but that we should "return to habits their mothers or grandmothers would have been familiar with: buying locally in-season products, cooking in bulk and in pots with lids or pressure cookers, avoiding waste and walking to the shops ".

How "local" is local anymore? The majority of people out there would be hard pressed to find a local, sustainable source of food within only a 50 mile radius of cities with populations greater than 1 million people.

The overall issue here is that of overpopulation, not cutting down on the amount of meat made. The article states "the report calls for meat and dairy consumption to be cut in developed countries so that global production remains stable as the population grows". In other words, developed nations need to give things up as 3rd world nations become more developed. That might be a hard thing to do...
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10-02-2008 @7:00PM Monika said... What I wonder is if this limit is also suggested for those who buy locally? They suggest local purchases and limits on meat, but together? Considering the fact that I almost always walk to the grocery store, buy local veggies and meat, and fresh foods, I'd be ticked if I was then told that I had to limit the meat I bought.

I would think it would make more sense to raise the price and tax more foods where local options are available -- push people towards meat shares, farmers markets, etc.
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10-02-2008 @7:04PM Shawn Harstad said... "However, I do think it would work if limits were put on how much meat could be produced. That would raise the price of meat and lower the demand for it dramatically."

Yeah, let's more put more people out of work to "save the planet". Give me a break. If you think eating or producing meat is destroying the planet, you need to be run down by the clue bus.
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10-02-2008 @8:39PM Tracy Williams said... Yes Shawn, when you can't attack the science or the facts, go ahead and just attack the person quoting them. Takes the focus away from the fact that the proposal actually makes sence.
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10-02-2008 @11:30PM Shawn Harstad said... What science? Point me to science that says eating and producing meat is actually destroying the planet? Show me some facts as well. This is nothing more than scaring people into believing they are somehow responsible for global climate change. " You terrible, meat eater... your killing the planet." Please show me the facts. Here are some facts for you putting limits on the amount of meat of produced would put a whole lot of Americans out of jobs. Of course, Americans wont stop eating meat so it will be imported. Thats not good for our economy and who knows where that meat would come from. If you want to eat less meat, by all means, go ahead. But forcing other people to do so is moronic and and just a little elitist.
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10-03-2008 @9:38AM Jon said... Shawn, look up articles on the environmental impact of raising meat in factory farms. These farms produce huge amounts of animal waste, which is stored in lagoons. The waste can then leak into the ground water, or otherwise make people sick. In order to keep all those animals healthy, they're fed large doses of antibiotics, leading to increased rates of diseases in humans, and making the surviving bacteria drug-resistant. And the animals are fed with industrially farmed corn and soy, which require large amounts of water and lead to pesticide runoff.

Putting limits on factory farms would actually increase employment. Smaller farms require more work, which requires more farmers. That's part of the reason factory farm meat is so cheap.

Basically, you've proven that you don't understand what you're talking about at all. Either get educated or shut up.
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10-03-2008 @2:06PM Jeannette said... I can't remember the last time I had 4 servings of meat a week....

And @ Michael - Ever heard of the 100 mile diet? Completely local can be done. And if you arent' into extremes - a little research and effort will probably reveal an abundance of delicious foods within that radius of any major city - and perhaps you won't get all your food that way, but I think most people would be surprised at all the amazing local food options they never used/saw/realised before.

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10-03-2008 @2:46PM Adriane said... Jon,

Thank you for comparing small farms to factory farms. I don't think people TRULY realize what damage those places do. I just don't understand the disconnect between individuals and where there food is coming from. The more we can go back to small farming I think the better off we will be.

What I don't quite understand is why people feel to ENTITLED to meat, like it's the birthright of Americans. My real question is why is it so bad if we cut our consumption?? Do you *really* need that 20 oz. slab? Will you be irrate if you have one less hambuger a week? Is it worth getting that up in arms about?
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10-03-2008 @3:33PM Mike G said... I cut my meat consumption down from twice a day to about five times a week, mostly for health reasons but the ecological impact was a factor.
I tried going vegetarian altogether for about a month but found myself tired and listless all the time. I still enjoy meat, but I consume it when I really feel like eating it, not reflexively with every meal. And I don't judge other people for their food choices. I've made my choice, and you make yours.
Getting the government involved in dicatating production is a negative step. Educating people on the health and environmental benefits, along with the contaminated meat scandals that now occur with depressing frequency, will likely change people's minds without coercion.
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10-03-2008 @4:04PM Mya said... I agree that education and awareness are absolutely necessary in getting people to change their habits - most unpopular government policies are unpopular because many people don't understand the reason or motive behind them. I actually work for a campaign called Meatless Monday where we advocate cutting back on meat by 15% (one day out of 7) for health reasons as it greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. We also recently published an article that has some more facts about meat consumption and the environment - go to www.meatlessmonday.com/dyk_environment to read it.
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10-03-2008 @8:34PM Drew said... Considering I live on a small family farm and we get the majority of our meat from our own cows, I'm good for my meat-gettings.
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10-06-2008 @2:53AM Samme said... Another way of thinking about reducing meat intake: use meat as a flavoring. A couple shrimp or a piece of chicken in the pot make the flavors of the dish richer and dramatically reduce costs compared to serving each person 4-6 oz of meat (or more).

I tend to make a lot of low-fat whole-grain dishes (trying to lower cholesterol without the drugs). A little bit of protein is good, but restaurants and well-meaning grandmothers have changes reasonable portions into monstrosities. One chicken can make a week's worth of dishes for my partner and I.
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3-13-2011 @8:06PM Andrew said... Great post, I especially like to eat local as much as possible. I intern with the Eat Well Guide, and we've teamed up with Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports) to issue the Local, Organic Thanksgiving Challenge this year. Will you join us? And share a recipe? Read more on the Green Fork www.blog.eatwellguide.org/2008/11/take-the-local-organic-thanksgiving-challenge
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