The facts are in and yes, this is true. That steak you ripped into last night is causing more CO2 emissions then your gas-guzzling vehicle. According to the UK Guardian, fabricating 1 kg of meat (2.21 lbs.) results in more CO2 emissions than taking a three hour drive while leaving all your lights on at home. Meat production accounts for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The following pie chart explains this idea:
Large parts of each greenhouse gas can be designated straight to agriculuture production. Yes, agricultural production does include some plant-based crops, but most of them are genetically modified and grown for livestock. Notice the lime green sections on the nitrous oxide and methane, directly connecting to agricultural by products. Methane is caused by mass amounts of belching and flatulent cattle, probably due to the fact that we like to feed these animals undigestible fodder like corn and soy, simply because we like fat. The nitrous oxide is from the harsh fertilizers and pesticide compounds used to clear-cut and tend to the livestock's food. Let me just mention that all of the categories in the chart can be connected to livestock production.
Look at the transportation fuels sector in the CO2 chart and think about how that taco meat got on your plate. I will not go on to explain how each area relates to red meat production because that is just depressing and I hope you get the point. I am not asking for everyone to be vegetarian or vegan or completely change your lifestyles. All I am asking is that you re-evaluate your dinner plate or just start buying grass-fed organic beef. Every little bit helps! Don't forget, "eat your colors."
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