UN Climate Action: Calls to Reduce Meat Consumption Face Doubt
Expert in animal agriculture says that Americans are unlikely to respond to messaging from the United Nations telling them to eat less meat. During the COP28 summit, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization may recommend that developed nations cut back on meat consumption to combat climate change. However, Frank Mitloehner, director of the Center for Environmental Awareness and Research at the University of California, Davis, believes that such messaging will not change people’s eating habits. Mitloehner argues that people will eat what they want, no matter what recommendations are made by organizations like the FAO.
One of the main arguments for reducing meat consumption is the production of methane by livestock, especially cattle. Mr. Mitloehner claims that the debate around methane emissions is being used as a platform to push a vegan agenda, and questions the effectiveness of targeting livestock as a means of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. According to Mr. Mitloehner, the focus should be on addressing food waste and improving agricultural efficiency in developing nations in order to reduce emissions more significantly.
