The Positive Impact of Pasture-Raised Meat on Health & Climate

We’re seeing a lot of media coverage about raising and eating meat lately. Most of this coverage has been negative; “eating meat is bad for your health,” “raising cows is bad for the environment,” “cow farts are causing climate change,” etc. Schools are initiating “meatless Mondays” to reinforce this message with our kids. Farmers in Holland, Belgium, and Britain have been holding rallies to protest government policies aimed at reducing the numbers of animals, mainly cows, because they think raising animals is bad for the environment. At the same time there are companies worldwide investing millions of dollars in creating lab grown meat in response to this supposed “crisis.” At Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle I am no longer able to buy a real hamburger since all they will allow to be sold are plant based “Impossible Burgers.” No Thanks!

So what’s the truth behind this massive movement to get us to stop eating meat. Is meat bad for our health? Quite the contrary, meat is the most nutrient dense food available. There has never been an interventional scientific study showing that eating meat is unhealthy for humans. I’ve detailed the health benefits of eating animal foods based on the research of Dr. Weston Price in my blog titled “Evolutionary Mismatch”, and highly recommend you read it if you haven’t already.

Are cows causing climate change? The answer is “it depends.” Certainly “industrial farming” isn’t sustainable or environmentally friendly. Industrial beef, pork, and chicken production involves huge inputs of fuel, pesticides, steroids and antibiotics since these animals are fed grains and raised in confined feeding operations (CAFO’s) to maximise profits. Meat produced by industrial farming isn’t nearly as nutritious as that produced by traditional methods such as pasture raising. My research into the subject suggests that industrially raised animals may be harmful to both our health and the environment.

The good news is that animals raised properly are good for both our health and the environment. This means raising animals using proper pasturing techniques. This eliminates all the inputs like fuel, pesticides, drugs and other chemicals required by confined feeding operations. But can we produce enough meat to feed the world this way? Researcher Allan Savory has conclusively shown that we can, and at a lower cost than industrially raised animals. Not only is this meat healthier and cheaper, it actually is one of the most important things we can do to positively impact climate change.

Watch this fascinating video to learn why we actually need to raise more animals to feed the planet and reverse climate change.

We’re fortunate to have several local growers who practice sustainable agriculture and sell meat and vegetable free from pesticides, steroids and other harmful chemicals. As I’ve said many times before, the most powerful thing you can do is to vote with for the kind of food you want by buying from local growers practicing sustainable agriculture. You and the planet will be healthier for it!