Why beef is the new SUV (CNN)

[petronius]

This is the story of a giant pile of beef.

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But before I get into the business of explaining where this meat came from, and why eating this stuff has a massive, unexpected effect on climate change, I feel the need to confess something: That huge slab of brisket, which came to me by way of Snow's BBQ, a delightful shack of a place out here in the heart of Texas beef country, easily was one of the most food-orgasm-y things I've tasted.

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But eating beef, as I'll explain, has come to be seen, rightly, in certain enviro circles, as the new SUV -- a hopelessly selfish, American indulgence; a middle finger to the planet. It's not the main driver of global warming -- that's burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation -- but it does contribute significantly.

Globally, 14.5% of all greenhouse gas pollution can be attributed to livestock, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the most reputable authority on this topic. And a huge hunk of the livestock industry's role -- 65% -- comes from raising beef and dairy cattle.

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http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/29/opinions/sutter-beef-suv-cliamte-two-degrees/index.html

Nice long article tracing the climate impacts in the beef supply chain (and well-written, aside from some gratuitous snark about Vice-President Gore...)

[daleanime]

1. It's really simple....

eat less meat. Eat smaller portions less often. Eat more locally grown fresh fruits and veggies.

[yeoman6987]

3. Couldn't agree more

It's really the best way to stay healthy. You can eat meat just cut the portion you eat.

[GGJohn]

5. Or, hunt your own meat, it's much healthier for you.

No chemical additives and it's just plain delicious.

[Paka]

6. I totally agree with you, small portions are sufficient.

I don't even eat meat everyday, but the flavor can enhance an otherwise very dull meal. I get fully tired of people who have made a choice to eschew all meat telling me I should do the same.

I don't own a car and I walk most places whenever I can. Should I tell someone they should never ride? Like all things, moderation is good.

[LiberalElite]

9. Ok I'm maybe I'll make you more tired

I haven't eaten meat in 25 + years for a couple of reasons - global warming and factory farms. However, some people won't even cut down. So it's good you're cutting down. A long time friend of mine also refused to cut out meat consumption totally but then she'd tell me she felt guilty because she'd eaten bacon. I told her, eat it or don't eat it but don't eat it and then "confess" to me. At some point years later she told me that because of me she estimated her meat consumption was a quarter of what it once was. Point being, at least she tried.

[Hortensis]

2. Rising prices are helping and without doubt will assist virtue even more in future.

I remember long ago when I first read that the recommended steak serving was about the size of a deck of cards. I thought you have to be kidding! and dismissed it. Now DH and I share a small steak and find we enjoy it just as much, or more. The flavor of anything is more enjoyable when it's complemented by other flavors and one doesn't start getting tired of it well before finishing. ODing on even a really luscious anything doesn't appeal any more .

We also do 1 or 2 meatless dinners a week, especially in the summer, but that's hardly a major sacrifice now that I've accumulated a nice rotation of recipes that we both enjoy.

[cprise]

7. Except for the agricultural subsidies

which favor the consumption of meat.

[Hortensis]

8. They do, but for all that per cap meat consumption has been declining

for years in the U.S. Virtue assisted by various factors or not, a majority of people in this country want to eat less meat and the trend to less continues.

[SCantiGOP]

4. Maybe that's why nature

Gives heart attacks to people who eat too much fat, such as red meat.