Problems Encountered with the Meat Consumption Debate
Everyone comes from different races, backgrounds, and cultures.
In the Hispanic or Latino culture, it is traditional to consume meat with every meal of the day. Research shows that every person in Spain consumes, on average, 237.9 pounds of meat per year (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
Many European countries such as Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, and France fall in the top twenty countries for the most meat consumption per year (FAO). This is due to the fact that they are well off economically, and it is in their culture to serve meats in the harsh winters. The harsh winters in Europe cause there to be a high demand for beef and veal in those months (Norton, 33).
Special holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas also raise the demand for meat. In the American culture, it is tradition to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. On this day, around 46 million turkeys are consumed (University of Illinois Extension).
In the Hispanic or Latino culture, it is traditional to consume meat with every meal of the day. Research shows that every person in Spain consumes, on average, 237.9 pounds of meat per year (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
Many European countries such as Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, and France fall in the top twenty countries for the most meat consumption per year (FAO). This is due to the fact that they are well off economically, and it is in their culture to serve meats in the harsh winters. The harsh winters in Europe cause there to be a high demand for beef and veal in those months (Norton, 33).
Special holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas also raise the demand for meat. In the American culture, it is tradition to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. On this day, around 46 million turkeys are consumed (University of Illinois Extension).
Take Action Now!
It is not necessary to eliminate meat or stop eating it all at once. Just watch how much you are eating! Less meat eaten means less animals being slaughtered in factory farms, which means a healthier and safer environment for humans. Limiting meat consumption would benefit humans in many ways-health problems would be
decreased and the environment would be less polluted.
Of Course, the ideal solution would be for policy makers and the government to create and enforce policies/law that would benefit the environment in the long run. Another ideal solution would be for scientists to find a way to use the waste and methane to create energy, or use it for other things.
If meat is not limited soon in some way, the number of greenhouse gases emitted can double or triple over the years if societies keep eating the amount of meat they are now. The world’s waters will pollute and societies will be in dire need of fresh water.
Of Course, the ideal solution would be for policy makers and the government to create and enforce policies/law that would benefit the environment in the long run. Another ideal solution would be for scientists to find a way to use the waste and methane to create energy, or use it for other things.
If meat is not limited soon in some way, the number of greenhouse gases emitted can double or triple over the years if societies keep eating the amount of meat they are now. The world’s waters will pollute and societies will be in dire need of fresh water.