Currently, there is an increasing debate regarding the impact of beef production on the environment and climate change. This industry is detrimental to the state of the planet and, in the long term, can lead to irreversible consequences. The beef industry and its impact on humanity is due to a number of factors. These include greenhouse gases, animal waste emissions, production costs and fertilization of forage pastures. In addition, beef has health risks for certain populations.
The industry wastefully uses various resources to produce goods, which increases the amount of greenhouse gases. The industry wastefully uses various resources to produce goods, which increases the amount of greenhouse gases (Magill, 2016). The pollution caused by this factor is spreading quite quickly since the amount of meat production is high enough and changes the climate. The production of beef products, according to various estimates, accounts for 65% of those greenhouse gases that fall on the share of the livestock industry (Magill, 2016). In addition, the industry produces methane, a gas that scientists believe will become one of the most destructive in a few decades (Sutter, 2015). Thus, in the modern era, the reduction of methane can bring enough benefits to reduce the harmful effects.
With regard to waste, from this point of view, the environment can be affected by manure as a by-product of animals. On the one hand, it is nutrient-rich in nitrogen, useful and strengthening plants. Accordingly, it is important for agriculture and the meat industry (Cusack et al., 2021). However, without soil evaluation and analysis, manure can have negative consequences for polluting the planet. A great amount of it and improper mixing with the soil can adversely affect its condition and make it less suitable, which will affect the climate (Cusack et al., 2021). Soils play an important role as they have the ability to mitigate the effects of changes due to carbon content. Moreover, they curb emissions of greenhouse gases, which helps to slow down global warming.
Another important factor is the industry costs that each company or farmer incurs. The cost of keeping cows includes insurance, veterinary services, repairs, taxes, salaries for employees, feed, marketing, etc. At the same time, in order to obtain fodder and the necessary means of deforestation, deforestation and a by-product industry supplying equipment continue. Used grazing and forage areas are flammable and often combustible. Forest fires destroy the ozone layer, which is necessary to maintain a normal climate. Accordingly, industry has a detrimental effect on the state of the planet and the air (Gustin, 2017). In addition, beef can have an impact on human health due to improper heat treatment. The meat contains parasites, in particular tapeworms, which do not die if the fire is insufficient. In addition, when frying meat, carcinogens can be formed that affect oncology. It is important to monitor the possible consequences and reduce the consumption of beef.
To improve the situation on the planet, it is important to use alternatives and reduce production. Currently, there is a significant amount of high-protein products that saturate the body (Cusack et al., 2021). At the same time, it should be understood that fish and chicken are healthy foods that can replace beef. In addition, it is important to reduce production and impose significant taxes on meat, as greenhouse gases will continue to degrade the planet.
In conclusion, it should be said that the beef industry has a detrimental effect on the climate. The amount of greenhouse gases, methane and emissions from animals destroy the ozone layer, which directly affects the average weather on the planet. In this case, it is important to monitor the amount of production produced and choose alternative sources of protein to maintain the good functioning of the organism.
References
Cusack, D. F., Kazanski, C. E., Hedgpeth, A., Chow, K., Cordeiro, A. L., Karpman, J., & Ryals, R. (2021). Reducing climate impacts of beef production: A synthesis of life cycle assessments across management systems and global regions. Global change biology, 27(9), 1721-1736. Web.
Gustin, G. (2017). Eating grass-fed beef isn’t as climate-friendly as you may think. Inside Climate News. Web.
Magill, B. (2016). Studies show link between red meat and climate change. Climate Central. Web.
Sutter, J. D. (2015). Why beef is the new SUV. CNN. Web.