It’s Okay To Eat Meat, If You Do It Right

A recent report from the Environmental Working Group confirmed what is becoming common knowledge these days: Meat production is bad for the environment.

Still. the EWG acknowledges that meat eating is an “important part” of the diets of many Americans, and calls their report “The Meat Eaters Guide.” It’s possible, they say, to reduce impact of meat eating by eating less, eating greener, and advocating for policy that makes the production of meat less harmful for the environment.

Lamb is the worst for the environment, followed by beef, cheese, pork, and farmed salmon. The grassfed versions of these products, on the other hand, are the least harmful choices.

Eating less meat is at the center of their recommendations – and it’s one that works out well for both the colon and the wallet. Buying grassfed meat means spending two to three times what one would spend for the conventional feedlot version – so eating less of it and more vegetables and whole grains balances out.

The EWG says that if every American skipped meat for one day a week, it would be the equivalent of taking 7.6 million cars off the road. And, buying less meat means less waste – leading to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

This is an incredibly smart way to tackle the problems caused by meat production. Ordering most people to give up meat will either make them defensive or close them off to the point being made. And it won’t change policy or the habits of very many.

But starting from the premise that meat eaters aren’t evil or wrong—but that they could be making smarter choices—is fair and useful.

Shani is the associate editor of CampusProgress.org. You can reach her at shilton@americanprogress.org.

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