Flexitarian diet to save the world, and maybe you/us

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mudsticks

Obviously an Aubergine
Seems like a bit of a no brainer really. Meat production is wasteful of resources and a significant producer of greenhouse gas. Less meat production will tend towards better use of certain classes of land and reduced emissions (grow food for people, not for animals).

Add to that the fact that meat for every meal every day is a relatively recent phenomenon it would do no one any harm, nor cause any distress, to move in that direction.

But until the total costs are factored into the price there's unlikely to be much movement.

It's presented rather badly: Put as it is it's bound to be a splendid opportunity for people who love finding things that offend them to have a whinge about being preached at. But that misses the point rather.

I had black pudding for my tea last night. Just wanted to make sure that all of the piggies get used up.

Yes the idea of our eating meat everyday, or at every meal is a very recent idea.
Only made possible by industrialised agriculture, which clearly can't continue in its present form - there's plenty of evidence out there as to why this is the case.

Its not to say don't eat it all - just see it as the scarce and expensive resource that it is - appreciate what went into it.

Find out, and care about, how it was produced - thats not being an 'oddball' that's being an informed and engaged, grown-up human being.
But as you say some folks will maintain they are being 'preached at' when all you are doing is raising awareness.

In some cases - such as in cool temperate grasslands meat and milk are more easily produced on grazing where other crops don't grow.

I believe black pudding is very high in iron too.

It does makes sense that if something is going to die for our dinner, we should at least use all of it up.
 

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
It does makes sense that if something is going to die for our dinner, we should at least use all of it up.

True, there is very little of a pig that isn't used.

Trouble is, now they are saying a rasher of bacon is like smoking 5 cigarettes. :eek:
 

Fab Foodie

hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
Location
Kirton, Devon.
Whilst a meat-tax appears both draconian and regressive, we should think of it more as a ‘nudge-tax’ to change behaviours.
I don’t see this as nanny state. People will still have choice where to spend their money. Cigarettes, Alcohol, Meat. Nobody needs either of those, they are all injurious to health, wealth and particularly for red meat, the environment. Yes they are nice, luxuries maybe, but not necessary for a decent life.
 

mudsticks

Obviously an Aubergine
Whilst a meat-tax appears both draconian and regressive, we should think of it more as a ‘nudge-tax’ to change behaviours.
I don’t see this as nanny state. People will still have choice where to spend their money. Cigarettes, Alcohol, Meat. Nobody needs either of those, they are all injurious to health, wealth and particularly for red meat, the environment. Yes they are nice, luxuries maybe, but not necessary for a decent life.

Exactly, and if you look at 'normal diets' pre industrial agriculture -

(Which has gone really heavy, on processed carbs, saturated fats, sugar, and processed meats - because these are easier to store, transport, and produce with diesel and oil derived products, rather than human skill)
.
Or look at peasant style diets - like those still found around the Med, and indigenous cuisines such as in Japan, they tend to be big on fresher (and yes more perishable) plant derived foods, then they have a moderate amount of fresh meat or some fish chucked in now and then, as well..

And these are reckoned to be healthiest diets, and more often than not they're really tasty, and varied too.

It's not a massive suffer-fest to eat like that really is it??
 

classic33

Leg End Member
It's not either or though, in terms of addressing issues.
.
Birth rates in many Westernised countries are actually falling.
And we are the ones who do most of the consuming.
Wider availability of birth control, and true empowerment of women so that their status and security isn't all wrapped up in being married or having kids could help with that, a lot, but there's only so much we can fix.

We can however (or at least most of us can) do something about our daily food choices, and it does have an impact, on what is produced, and how.

You vote for "more of this please" with your ££ every time you go into a shop, or buy something online.
Birth rate is still over twice the death rate, globally.

Edited to add link
https://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/worldpopulation.asp
 
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