One Planet News: Livestock, Food Security and Climate

By Annette J Beveridge

I’m going to be honest. I have a vision. One where wildlife and people co-exist and where quality of life can be enjoyed.

But a cleaner greener way of life, isn't just about planting more trees, or helping some species to recover. It goes further than that.

We need lifestyle changes.

Meat consumption isn't good for us. In an ideal world, we would all stop eating meat and live healthier more compassionate lives. But that's just my vague hope, but science supports the reduction of meat consumption.

I have not eaten meat or fish for more than 30 years and have never regretted it once. I just decided I could not carry on supporting the slaughter of animals because I care.

But for many, a decision to stop eating meat or to reduce it comes from the drive to live more sustainably, to be healthier, as well as perhaps having compassion for animals.

A study published in Nature magazine a couple of years ago revealed that by simply substituting 50% of animal products - chicken, beef, pork and milk with plant-based food alternatives can "reduce global emissions from agriculture by 31%, save forests, and improve nutrition for millions of people.”

By doing so, this would double the benefits in respect of climate change and reduce the impact on ecosystems by 50%.

As much as I feel passionately about people exploring more plant-based options, I am not someone who will nag at people or bully them into making changes. I don't think that approach works but would rather lay out the benefits of doing so.

Reduced land use

We know that farming livestock drives biodiversity loss globally. Right now, the expansion of grazing pasture and crops for feed is clearing rainforests and destroying habitats. This releases carbon stores into the atmosphere.

By reducing the consumption of meat, it enables more land for forests and allow ecosystems to regrow.

Water

Caring for livestock uses large amounts of water - for the animals, and for feed crops but run off from land contributes to the pollution of river water.

Methane

Cows and sheep produce methane via a process called enteric fermentation. We all talk about carbon emissions being an issue but methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas in the short term. Reduce carbon and by lowering levels of methane, it will help the climate.

Food Insecurity

In the UK, most land is agricultural and in fact, approximately 69 % is used for agriculture. This land is used for grazing, rough grazing and for temporary grassland.

The other issue is that a considerable portion of arable land growing wheat and barley is used for animal feed, not for human consumption.

Food insecurity in the UK is a serious issue. The Government must take this seriously but I also advocate for people to grow their own food.

Summary

Any reduction of meat is going to help. If it is meat-free Monday, being plant-based each weekend or reducing meat 50% of the time, these actions will significantly help fewer animals being slaughtered. It means fewer feed crops will be needed so more land will be available.

The additional land could be used for tree planting and wildlife corridors, for rewilding and for biodiversity recovery plus crops for us to eat.

Going meat free for some or all of the time is not difficult and there are so many recipes available that it can make cooking fun. But in addition to the health benefits, know that you will be saving lives, and protecting biodiversity.