A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that grass-fed cattle produce higher carbon emissions than cattle raised with industrial methods, even in the most favorable scenarios.
This finding challenges the common perception that grass-fed beef is more sustainable and poses a dilemma for environmentally conscious consumers.
Main findings on cattle feeding
Grass-fed beef emits more greenhouse gases (GHG) due to the slower growth of animals on pasture. This leads to the need for more cattle to obtain the same amount of meat as industrial production.
Although pastures can sequester carbon, the amount stored does not offset the emissions generated by cattle.
In regions like South America, the increase in grass-fed beef production contributes to land deforestation that would otherwise store carbon.
Local vs. global impact
Experts point out that while grass-fed beef has higher global emissions, it could offer localized benefits:
- Animal welfare: Higher quality of life for cattle.
- Lower local pollution: Less impact on soils and waters compared to industrial methods.
- Biodiversity: Positive impacts on certain ecosystems.
Considerations for the future
The study suggests that beef, regardless of its production method, has a significant environmental impact.
Changing dietary habits towards plant-based proteins or reducing beef consumption could be a more sustainable alternative globally.
The environmental impact of eating beef
According to EuroNews, Randy Jackson, a Grassland Ecology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who was not involved in the study, stated that he had found similar results in his own research, indicating that grass-fed beef has higher emissions given the same demand.
However, he is concerned that the study focuses too much on minimizing emissions “without considering environmental impacts beyond the GHG burden on the atmosphere,” such as biodiversity and soil and water quality, he wrote in an email.
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