Hi, I’ve recently seen this video by a channel called What I’ve Learned, regarding the environmental impact of animal agriculture, in both of which Dr. Frank Mitloehner, a Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist at the University of California, expresses his opinion on this topic.
In short, he suggests that cow industry is not so disruptive as it is portrayed.
I’m trying to understand if his points are valid. What are your thoughts? Please let me know, thanks
There was a thread recently about a video debunking this one. I haven’t been able to find the thread but the video itself is here: What I’ve Learned or What I’ve Lied About? Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Debunked..
If I remember correctly the main guy that is interviewed actually works for the food industry.
A lot of food is being grown exclusively for feeding animals, the use of residue doesn’t mean that it would be wasted otherwise, and that no food is being grown for animals.
Reducing meat intake is also something that can be done very easily with clearly known health benefits. Removing the use of fossil fuels is going to be a much larger change that individuals can’t do much about. Of course we should vote and push for policies that reduce fossil fuel use, but it shouldn’t mean we can’t do anything else.
Amazing! I actually sent the What I’ve Learned video to vegan friends to see what they would respond. The only criticism we could come up with on the fly was that in the U.S. and in Brazil, there is plenty of soy and other human-edible grains that are being used for cows instead of humans. So the whole “cows eat food humans wouldn’t otherwise eat” argument in those cases are not true.
But the video you linked was much more comprehensive! I’m excited! Hahah! A bit inline with the post someone else made regarding how awesome Lemmy is, it’s exciting to find this content and have these discussions here!
Hi, I’ve seen the video: the guy gave well-sourced arguments, and frankly, they seem to be more credible than the ones from the original video. Thanks a bunch! Also, I agree with the points you make
it will save the animals, not the planet. Giving up eating meat is a sensible thing to do (no, I’m not vegan, but I admire the ones who have the mental strength to be and I hope that soon I will follow their lead)
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Interesting, thanks. Still, the land usage issue is addressed in the video, and makes a good point too.
EDIT: made this comment before watching this video, which addresses the original one. Also, I’ve checked out the channel you suggested, and I like it. Thanks! (btw not vegan either, but who knows)
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That analysis seems a bit biased towards local food producers in the western world. Maybe they included land conversion (Beef in Brazil and prawns in SEA) driven by western & Chinese demand? I am not very deep into beef production methods, but for shrimp at least I know that it can be very efficient in theory (more so than chicken or farmed fish), but for various reasons currently often isn’t.
Also something to keep in mind (and which I think isn’t reflected in the graphic), some types of animal products can be produced on land / sea and with inputs that would otherwise be impossible to use.
But overall, yes less meat and a better informed choice of the types of meat is probably a good idea.
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lmao y’all sound like white slave owners in the middle of 19th century thinking about abolishing slavery because it’s no longer the most economically viable and efficient labour method
shame on you all, discussing like this is some theoretical sophisticated issue with 39 different sides to discuss
it’s fucking NOT
stop eating animals and listening to garbage human beings who try to sell you false “feel good about your awful habits” story, who themselves obviously benefit from it
