I am sure many of you have either heard about or watched the new documentary 'Before the Flood' - I watched it the other day and found it so interesting but also extremely shocking and scary about what we are doing to our planet. I was really pleased when the link between cattle and climate change was mentioned and learnt even more about the subject (it is discussed about 50 minutes into the documentary if you want to skip to that bit!). It is definitely worth a watch for anyone interested in climate change (and Leo fans).
Sadly it is only available to watch until the end of today so get going!
Fab documentary, what do you think about the suggestion to switch to alternative meats? Is it feasible under our current level of consumption?
ReplyDeleteI like the blog :)!!
Thank you!! I think that when you compare other animals we eat, such as chicken, and look at things like how much less land they require, and how they produce less greenhouse gas emissions per unit of protein compared to cattle, I definitely think it is a good suggestion for those who want to do something positive for the environment but without giving up all meat as that of course can be so difficult for people who've always eaten meat like me! I most definitely need to do some more research into other meats and investigate whether becoming completely vegetarian, or even vegan, is necessary under our current levels of consumption - I'm hoping to do a post on this at some point!
DeleteSounds good, look forward to it!
DeleteI loved the documentary albeit with few reservations that are relevant for your blog. I also thought that the link between beef consumption habits and methane emissions came out so clearly with respect to livestock wastes. What do you think culture plays a role in the 'beef debate'? People rear cows for different reasons...some also eat them for different - maybe that's the own food they have. For intance, some communities in the ASAL regions of subsaharan Africa entirely depend on livestock for survival. Do you think habits and culture can easily be done away with based on this narrative?
ReplyDeleteHi Asha! I definitely think a large barrier in the 'beef debate' is people's culture and habits, in particular in the Western world. For communities that depend on livestock to survive, I think it is difficult, and maybe even impossible, for them to change their practices, as it is a very different situation compared with Western countries who do have a choice to stop buying and eating beef. Perhaps more sustainable cattle-rearing or efficient land-use techniques may emerge in the future and be shown to these communities, which would mean that they could still rear their livestock but in a way that produces less greenhouse gas emissions?
DeleteTotally agree with you that on such 'exceptional' cases, sustainability should be emphasized. Thank you.
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