The ecological balance of meat products

The ecological balance of meat products

The ecological balance of meat products

In recent years, awareness of human ecological footprint has increased significantly. In particular, the focus is on the production of food, since it is a significant share in greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. In this article we will deal with the ecological balance of meat products and examine their influence on the environment.

What is an ecological balance?

An ecological balance, also referred to as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), is a method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product across its entire life cycle. This life cycle includes production, transport, processing, use and disposal of the product. In meat products, the cultivation of feed, the keeping of animals, the slaughter, processing and sales are particularly important.

greenhouse gas emissions

Meat production contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. In the production of meat products, large amounts of methane (CH4) and laughing gas (N2O) are released, which contribute significantly more to global warming than carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane creates primarily by digestion of ruminants and cattle, while laughing gas is used in the application of fertilizers.

In particular, beef has a particularly high ecological balance, since cattle release large amounts of methane during their digestion. According to the report by the World Climate Council (IPCC) from 2019, the global contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gas emissions is around 14.5 percent. About 65 percent of these are due to animal husbandry, with beef as one of the main causes.

land use

The production of meat products also requires considerable amounts of agricultural area. Large amounts of feed plants such as soy, corn and grain are needed to feed animals. The cultivation of these plants in turn requires large areas on which natural habitats are destroyed and the biodiversity decreases.

Especially the cultivation of soy for feed production is a big problem. New areas are often cleared for soybean cultivation, especially in countries such as Brazil, which leads to an increased design and loss of habitats. The deforestation contributes to the release of CO2 in the atmosphere and additionally worsens the effects of climate change.

water consumption

Meat production also requires large amounts of water. From the irrigation of the feed production to the drum of the animals to cleaning the slaughterhouses, a considerable amount of water is required. Beef production in particular is known for its high water consumption. According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the average water consumption for the production of one kilogram of beef is around 15,400 liters.

The high water consumption in meat production contributes to tightening the global hydropower. In many regions of the world, water is already a scarce resource, and increasing meat consumption is increasing this bottleneck.

antibiotic insert and pollution

Another problem in connection with meat production is the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are often used to prevent diseases and accelerate growth in animal husbandry. This means that antibiotics get into the environment, accumulate in the ground and in the water and thus contribute to antibiotic resistance. This is not only a problem for people's health, but also for the environment.

In addition, intensive animal husbandry and the associated waste products such as manure lead to a high load on the environment. The excessive fertilization of fields can lead to over -fertilization and the groundwater as well as rivers and lakes can be dirty. This has negative effects on water quality and ecosystems in the area.

alternatives and solutions

In view of the negative environmental impact of meat production, it is important to find sustainable alternatives. One possibility is the increased consumption of vegetable alternatives such as vegetables, legumes and vegetable proteins. Plant -based nutrition significantly reduces ecological footprint and can contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and land use.

In addition, the reduction in meat consumption can also have positive effects. By consciously eating meat products, for example by introducing meat -free days or choosing high -quality, sustainable meat, the ecological influence can be reduced.

Another approach is the promotion of sustainable agriculture in which fewer pesticides and fertilizers are used and the variety of biodiversity is promoted. Sustainable agriculture can help to reduce the environmental impact of feed production and maintain natural habitats.

FAZIT

The ecological balance of meat products is problematic. The intensive animal husbandry, the high water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and land use have significant negative effects on the environment. It is important to find sustainable solutions and to promote alternative nutrition concepts. By reducing meat consumption and choosing more environmentally friendly options, we can all make our contribution to the protection of the environment.

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