Meat consumption must fall by at least 75 percent: However, in small quantities it can be quite sustainable

Rich countries need to reduce their meat consumption by at least 75 percent in order to feed us in the future. The University of Bonn has just finished a new study. The current state of research on meat consumption is reviewed in the study. Health and economic effects are included in the effects on the environment and climate. The researchers concluded that eating meat in small amounts can be sustainable. The results are published in a journal.

Every EU citizen eats around 80 kilograms of meat a year. Every juicy steak, every delicious sausage has a price that we don't pay at the counter because livestock farming damages the climate and the environment. Global warming can be accelerated by methane produced by ruminants. Animals only convert a small portion of their calories into meat. Meat needs a larger land area to feed the same number of people. Less space is left for natural species preservation. Meat in excess is not healthy and can promote chronic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim says that if humans consumed as much meat as Europeans or North Americans, we would miss the international climate targets. The war in Ukraine and the resulting shortages in international markets for cereal grains underscore the need for less grain to be fed to animals in order to support food security.

Mass vegetarianism isn't the best solution.

Is it better for humankind to switch completely to vegetarian or vegan diet? This would be the wrong consequence according to the study. On the other hand, there are many regions where plant-based foods can not be grown.

Poorer regions don't have high-quality plant sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and legumes can't be grown everywhere and can only be Harvested at certain times of the year. The authors point out that if the revenue from milk, eggs and meat is lost, this can threaten their livelihoods. In industrialized nations, meat is more often on the menu. The rich countries must reduce their meat consumption.

It makes sense to tax meat products.

There is no sign of this at the moment. Aggregate meat consumption is stagnant across Europe despite the fact that there are more vegetarians. It is highest in North America and Australia. It is important to consider higher taxes on animal-based foods, especially since a ten- or twenty-percent surcharge probably wouldn't be enough, if it's supposed to have a steering effect. It would be reasonable for consumers to share more of the costs.

The authors want the topic of sustainable consumption to be included in the school curriculum. The contents should be included in the training of future teachers.

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