Can You Still Eat Meat If You Care About The Environment?


The average Australian eats half a kilogram of meat every week. But meat production has a huge impact on the environment as it is responsible for almost 10% of Australia’s carbon emissions. So, can we still eat meat if we care about the environment? Experts say yes, but with some warnings. And there are things that industry and governments should be doing to make meat production more sustainable. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Can you still eat meat if you care about the environment?

Posted by on 23 Nov 2023

tweet this
  • [0] [0]
    Agent Mulder

    Eating meat has nothing to do with it. You are being lead down the garden path. What do plants need to grow Nutrients, Sunshine, Water and CO2 we are currantly at 0.04% in the atmosphere at 0.02 plants will start to die and so will we as plants put out Oxygen.

    Posted by Agent Mulder on 29 Feb 2024
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    stratman

    The evolution of the human species only really got us to where we are because of our consumption of animal protein which allowed our development to take place, most importantly our brain. We are disposed to consume animal protein or meat - its in our genes - sure we can make a conscious decision not to eat meat if one decides to do so but.......................

    Posted by stratman on 16 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    Kittykato

    I like to eat meat so I'm not going to be stopped from doing it.

    Posted by Kittykato on 13 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    John

    Eating poultry is the way to go if you want to be an environmentally friendly carnivore. Besides their low impact, they contribute in the way of manure, to growing plants. Natural insecticide, here come the chooks gobbling up those bugs.

    Posted by John on 13 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Manmohan

    Good discussion thread

    Posted by Manmohan on 13 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Best Man

    I think the problem is not in the meat consumers, it's in the technology that is used to process meat. From this view, I will continue consuming meat in the level that is good for my health and not causes for waste or bad environmental impact

    Posted by Best Man on 13 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    David

    Yes, everything is good in moderation.

    Posted by David on 04 Dec 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [4] [0]
    kezza61

    meat eating and production is not the sole cause of climate change and should not be demonised as others have said everything in moderation

    Posted by kezza61 on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [3] [0]
    Petal21

    I would say smart people will find the right balance, everything in moderation is the key. Meat is a great source of protein, so I wouldn't eliminate from the diet.

    Posted by Petal21 on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [1]
    sandra

    I remember when i was in primary school, a group came to talk to us saying moderation in all things is a good way to live. I often remember this many years later. Small changes add up and can make a big difference without harming industry etc. There are a lot of farmers who are very environmentally conscious. If we all do a little bit it will help a lot.

    Posted by sandra on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    Jay

    Yes, it's possible to eat meat while caring about the environment, but there are considerations. Industry and governments should work on improving sustainability practices in meat production to minimize environmental impact. Balancing meat consumption with environmentally conscious choices is key.

    Posted by Jay on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Big Bear

    We as humans have always been meat eaters, and we enjoy our meat. However, the meat industry needs to care more about the enviornment and make it more sustainable so we can enjoy our meat for years to come.

    Posted by Big Bear on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [1]
    vlee

    I barely eat any meat these days. I started going off it for various reasons, but I still have a bit of chicken breast or some ham occasionally. I think people should cut back a bit on their meat intake but it's totally up to them to decide if they want to make that decision.

    Posted by vlee on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    cormac

    in my head eating meat is natural, maybe the thing to ask is how can we make it more environmentally sustainable.

    Posted by cormac on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Tara Rata

    It's natural to eat meat. Just do it in a way that is environmentally sourced. Nothing wrong with a healthy meat diet

    Posted by Tara Rata on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Jigsaw

    Yes! You don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to care about the environment

    Posted by Jigsaw on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Suzanne

    Yes, red meat is the one of the best natural sources of iron, which women in particular need a lot of. I would much rather eat meat regularly rather than rely on unnatural iron tablets or intravenous iron infusions. Any efforts to make meat production more ethical and sustainable are great though.

    Posted by Suzanne on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    June

    I still need to eat meat for health and stomach filling. There are other much better ways to help reducing greenhouse gases emission and better for the environment. e.g. the government makes it easier and affordable for everyhold to access renewable energies. The state governments stop further fracking of lands and seas to extract gas. The state governments change logging laws and other land clearance related laws to prevent lost of forests and other natural ecological systems. The problem is the real producers of GHSs out there do nothing, receive A LOT of government subsidiaries while ask individual to suffer by all means, including our essential nutritious diets to suit them.

    Posted by June on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    bmlglp

    Of course I can eat meat if I care about the environment. My consumption of meat is an important part of what I am.

    Posted by bmlglp on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    ace bowler

    Meat is an essential part of a healthy diet. The idea of linking a valuable food source with an imaginary looming world wide disaster is outrageous.

    Posted by ace bowler on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Guntis

    Why not? It is healthy and even important - if you are cooking the right meat the right way and eating it in the right combination with the right veggies in the right quantity. I'm sorry for the right, right, right... :)

    Posted by Guntis on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    dizee06

    I used to eat meat almost daily but now I'm lucky if I eat it twice a week, beside the fact the cost of meat is outrageous if your on a pension. I'm still concerned about the environment but I grew up eating meat and will continue to eat it until it become so overpriced that I won't be able to afford it

    Posted by dizee06 on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Joshy79

    All things in moderation I say

    Posted by Joshy79 on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [3]
    sandeep

    All people must minimise the use of meat and eat more vegetarian and vegan diets

    Posted by sandeep on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Zi

    Yes, it is irrelevant.

    Posted by Zi on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    carmen

    Half a kilo a week I'd be Lucky to eat that in a month considering the price of meat

    Posted by carmen on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    YvetteP

    Can control it.

    Posted by YvetteP on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    XIAOYANG

    I do not think the link between meat and environment is so strong. So I still eat.

    Posted by XIAOYANG on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Robert

    I can't eat meat because health is wealth

    Posted by Robert on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [1]
    Spiderwoman

    Yes, you can. Hopefully you do your research and purchase from sustainable practise farms. We need more sustainable agricultural practises; mono crops of any kind should never be supported.

    Posted by Spiderwoman on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [3]
    Purnima

    I am a pure vegetarian and have never had meat. Some people have started eating fake meat. They say it tastes like meat. Even my children who have never had meat, think it is cool to have fake meat. Wouldn't processing vegetarian food to look and taste like meat also cause some carbon emissions? What is so great about meat that people have to have meat or something that tastes and looks like meat? And , if at some gatherings there is a separate table for vegetarians, the meat eating people are the first to go to that table and have the vegetarian food, which results in no food for the vegetarians sometimes.

    Posted by Purnima on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    MS

    I'm not against vegetarians but people should not tell others what to eat.

    Posted by MS on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [2]
    jeeves01

    I am surprised anyone even eats meat when I see the price of it. Makes me wonder really. The growers send heaps over seas to get better prices and so Australian consumers have to pay up but when there is a drought, bushfire, flood etc they put their hand out for Australian taxpayers money to help them. We pay both ways!! I boycotted red meat long ago and the cattle farmers won't get any donations from me in hard times. Let the Indonesians help them. A guess it would seem harsh but that is how I feel. Anyway...back to the topic....A lot of land has been cleared for meat production and a lot of grain is grown for the feedlots but it is here to stay. I wonder how much more land would be cleared if we all ate soy beans? i eat chicken and supplement with fish I catch myself.

    Posted by jeeves01 on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    wrestling collector

    I believe everyone cares about the environment to some degree.I must admit I enjoy meat products & would find it hard to give it up all together.

    Posted by wrestling collector on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [1]
    tutti_cutie

    Yes. As long as you’re not eating excessive amounts. Almond milk production is equally as harmful for the environment

    Posted by tutti_cutie on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    MS

    But what about dairy farms? There are many more of them than almond farms. They are a niche product so some people cannot drink dairy. It's good there are alternative options.

    Posted by MS on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    merryl

    Yes. Meat is less processed than a lot of other foods.

    Posted by merryl on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Pockets

    As long as your not wasting food, then no harm is done.

    Posted by Pockets on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [3] [0]
    Best Man

    I don't think the manufacturing of meat cause a lot of damages to environment because the other industries take more resources to process products

    Posted by Best Man on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [1]
    LeafyGreen

    Depends where you get it from, how much you eat, and what your values are. Personally I am vegan but for health reasons. I don't believe eating meat makes much difference to climate change but there is some evidence the processing of meat uses a lot of water, chemicals and resources, but so do many other foods and other things that are manufactured. The best thing we can do for the enviroment is to stop spraying chemicals everywhere!

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    Minh-Hai Henry

    Yes 100%

    Posted by Minh-Hai Henry on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    ere

    God intended for us to eat meat otherwise God wouldn't have made animals out of it. How can 2 unrelated subjects be linked together and used as an argument? There are too many fringe-based weirdoes thinking up stupid arguments and trolling the Internet just to cause trouble. I eat meat most days but I also care about the environment and they are saying that if I stop eating meat the environment will improve. I'd like to see genuinely scientifically based facts to prove this fallacy.

    Posted by ere on 25 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    MS

    It's becoming a cult! Those people, if they really do care, need to get off their hinds and go help clean up the environment then. I bet they use transportation. That causes bigger problems than farming.

    Posted by MS on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [3] [0]
    Carol

    Yes you can still eat meat if you care about the environment. I think some people choose to make an argument to suit their own agenda. People need to do their own research rather than blindly accepting what someone else would have you believe

    Posted by Carol on 25 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [2]
    Samson

    Yes we can continue to enjoy some meat as part of a healthy and sustainable diet but we must learn to balance meat consumption with the environmental limits

    Posted by Samson on 25 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [2]
    Paula

    Humans have been designed to eat meat, we have been given teeth and a digestive system in order to do so. If you believe in the bible it says meat was offered as a sacrifice.

    Posted by Paula on 24 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [2]
    LeafyGreen

    No actually humans are not carnivores we do not have the carnivore teeth.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    MS

    Humans learnt to use fire. Fire cooks and softens meat. So you aren't correct in one way.

    Posted by MS on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [2]
    Monicag8

    Yes you can, but it is a moral issue if you should or not.

    Posted by Monicag8 on 24 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [1]
    Peter

    Yes eating meat is no detergent for caring about the environment animals are not the problem. If all animals are naturally they would not become bloated climate change is a naturally occurring event as go by the earth's history sun flares cause lots of trouble for the planet as do natural occurring earth quake and volcano eruptions which pollute the in massive doses more then per produce over a longer time look up all the facts not just what is dribbled to the masses

    Posted by Peter on 24 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [4]
    boohoobly

    Possibly if you eat wild feral animals it may be good for the environment. The facts are out there though that the meat industry from go to woe is extremely environmentally unfriendly.

    Posted by boohoobly on 24 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    Yes would be better if Australians started eating rabbits, camels, bores and any other introduced species.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 26 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [5] [1]
    tassiegirl

    It is up to the individual whether they eat meat or not. I care for the environment (recycle what I can, fill up the car with less polluting petrol, care for animals and put my clothes on the washing line to dry). Some of the people who talk about climate change are hypocrites. This is especially true of celebrities who have private jets, have many large cars that they drive around and spend huge amounts of money. They then lecture us all on how we need to be better for climate change. If they are so big on it, why not start with your own actions first.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 24 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [4] [1]
    Kira

    this question doesn't make sense. if i eat meat i can care about anything i like, just like if i don't eat meat i can also care about anything i like...

    Posted by Kira on 23 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [3] [3]
    MS

    This is all rubbish! If you want to listen to all these climate change gurus then by all means go ahead. Live and let live! I heard none of this nonsense when I was a kid. Btw, I do not eat meat regularly, certainly not every week. Meat has got nothing whatsoever to do with climate temperature. Will they be telling us not to eat seafood next? Leave meat eaters alone!

    Posted by MS on 23 Nov 2023
    Reply | Alert Moderator

Join LiveTribe
Thousands of Aussies and Kiwis have already discovered the benefits of their FREE LiveTribe membership. Join and start earning online today! Sign Up
Get Rewarded!

Comment on brands, products and services and be rewarded for your opinions! Join in and discover LiveTribe’s extensive range of rewards.

View More
Join Our Monthly Competition!

Enter for a chance to win a $100 prize.

345 x 145

Members Testimonials
Lyn
"This is a great site. Love doing their surveys." Lyn B., QLD
Mary
"Just found out I won $150 in the competition – Thank you LiveTribe." Mary H., SA
Barbara
"Boy! Am I happy, to win a $150 Hoyts voucher, I love my movies." Barbara F., VIC
Elizabeth
"Awesome survey giving so much information on mining, thank you." Elizabeth A., WA
Frank
"My rewards from LiveTribe just keep rolling in. Keep it going, LiveTribe" Frank B., VIC