quite controversial, but the right decision

Germany did something very bold today in the fight against climate change.  Something that we will more than likely never see in this country, but should be done.  Germany’s Federal Environmental Agency urged its citizens to dramatically reduce its intake of meat, suggesting they go back to pre-war norms of eating meat only on special occasions, according to the Guardian.

There has been a lot of data released about the extraordinary amount of harm the livestock industry puts onto our climate being the most energy intensive form of “farming”.  Most accounts suggest that the meat industry accounts for a fifth of the greenhouse gases emitted into our atmosphere.  It is a result of the chemicals, transportation fuels and methane released from the animals, as well as the clear cutting of forests for land for the cattle to graze.

This decision is being embraced by many in the environmental movement.  There are few, if any, countries that have publicly acknowledged that our current methods of meat production are unsustainable and must be stopped.  

The United States has huge meat lobbying interests in Washington.  When nutritionists at the USDA and with the AMA have ever suggested reducing the meat intake in the food pyramid, millions of dollars have been spent in discrediting the data and ensuring that our process will never change.  The lobbyists have even succeeded in wooing the FDA to pass the allowance of the strongest of antibiotics for animal use and the lack of labeling for genetically engineered cattle.

The impact of the meat industry is even starting to be seen in ways other than the impact on the environment.  Antibiotics are being found in produce due to its presence in the water supply. Additionally, bacteria are getting more and more resistant to antibiotics, resulting in people having a harder time fighting infections.

While there are grassroots movements trying to educate the United States public on the harm of the meat industry, it is relatively weak by comparison.  Vegetarianism and other such diets are seen as “abnormal” and alternative lifestyles, when in reality they are the most eco-conscious way to eat and live.

All in all, Germany has done the right thing in suggesting to its citizenry to eat less meat.  All countries should follow this example and we may have a fighting chance against global destabilization.