One great way to go green is to give up on red mean. Red meat has many negative impacts on the environment, and is starting to hit you in your grocery bill as well. Going vegetarian is a smart way to do your part to help the environment while saving some money at the grocery store as well.
Red meats are rising in price
Energy costs are affecting food prices. Recent studies show that grocery costs have gone up over 5% in the last year. Red meats and eggs have skyrocketed in price, up to 25% in some regions of the US. Plant protein prices have not risen as much, and is becoming an increasingly cheaper source of proteins. Reducing meat and eggs in your weekly shopping list may help stretch your grocery dollars while protecting the environment at the same time.
Producing red meat contributes to global warming
Greenhouse gases from raising livestock currently account for about 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally. Global meat production is projected grow more than 100% in the next 40 years - which means action is needed now to stop some serious environmental consequences, according to a new study published in the U.S. journal, The Lancet today. A recent Japanese study in the Animal Science Journal found that the greenhouse gases created while producing a single kilogram of beef were approximately equivalent to driving for three hours while leaving all your lights on at home.
It’s also important to remember that producing red meat by raising livestock is a highly energy inefficient process. To produce edible protein, vast amounts of grain must be fed to cattle. The amount of soy and grain used in this process each year in the US alone could satisfy world grain demand the entire planet at least five times over, according to WorldWatch Institute.
We’re heading for a global food shortage
“Meat consumption is rising in the world, as lower-income countries become wealthier and develop a consumer preference for meat-eating,” said epidemiologist and lead author, Anthony McMichael of the Australian National University (ANU). The increased demand is increasing the risk of a global food shortage. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently warned that it will not have the resources to keep up with the shortages which are being amplified by rising food prices which are driven by climate change, rising demand for animal feed, and diversion of crops to biofuels. The WFP is currently facing a half-billion dollar shortfall to meet existing assessed needs.
We can all do our part
While no single person can stem this problem - we can each do our small part. Change your diet to move away from red meat and eggs, and towards plant-based sources of proteins. Soybeans, nuts, and tofu are all great sources of protein which are healthier alternatives to red meat. Here are some specific suggestions:
- Soybeans - 3.5 ox gives you 36 grams of protein
- Beans - kidney, mengo, yardlong, white, lima, navy beans are all great sources, providing 20 to 26 grams of protein each
- Peanuts - 3.5 oz gives you 26 grams of protein
- Lentils give you 28 grams of protein per 3.5 oz serving
- Seeds - sunflower, flax, sesame, pumpkin seeds give you between 15 and 24 grams per 3.5 ox serving
