Where’s the Beef? How our Meat Habits are Destroying the Amazon and What we can do to Change That
August is not just the time politicians flee Washington, it’s also a great time to sample the many amazing restaurants we have in this region. From Bethesda to Annapolis, and in DC, we all get the pleasure of experiencing a “restaurant week.” Be sure to check out the Clean Currents customers that are participating in these promotions. But this focus on restaurants gives us a chance to also seriously think again about the sources of our food, and the type of food we consume because these decisions have a direct impact on carbon emissions and the climate.
I don’t want to get too “preachy,” as I am the first to admit that I do not follow the perfect “climate friendly” diet. But I do know this, when it comes to a climate friendly diet, there are two words that matter – vegetarian and local. A new study from our friends at The Carbon War Room helps illustrate this point.
Carbon War Room’s Biodiversity Fellow, Dr. Guy Pinjuv and Interim Director of Research Matthew Cullinen are looking into the effect that increased demand for beef in Brazil is having on deforestation in the Amazon, and hence the loss of the world’s most important carbon sink. They’ve produced a lengthy report and action plan. To start, they point out some facts:
- Deforestation and agriculture (as a driver of more deforestation) are the cause of about a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- 50% of global deforestation occurs in Brazil.
- 80% of Brazilian deforestation is caused by cattle ranching.
- Brazil exports $5 billion of leather and beef to the United States.
In other words, this is a huge problem, and we in the United States are contributing to making it worse.
Brazil is planning on doubling exports of cattle by 2018.
So, is there any hope to avoid destroying the Amazon and creating more greenhouse gases?
According to the Carbon War Room, the answer is yes, and they make the business case for major change. It’s not complicated. The goal is to make it economically attractive for industry to utilize better cattle breeding methods.
The Carbon War Room plan would require an upfront investment of $21.5 billion to change the grasses cattle eat, to double the amount of cattle raised per hectare of land, and thus take away the need to clear any more forest land. This investment will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than six gigatons. The Return on Investmen (ROI) is 20% and the initial investment is paid back in only 4-6 years.
So, there’s a business case for reducing emissions and saving the rainforest. The only thing stopping the plan – inertia and lack of will.
Go to www.carbonwarroom.org for more information. In the meantime, think about the food you eat and where it comes from. There are plenty of local farms that produce beef and chicken in a more environmentally friendly way (that is, if you can’t give up meat altogether).
