Reasons to break up with beef

One of the most important, and easiest, things we can do to conserve water on a personal level in the West is to reduce our beef consumption. The water footprint of beef production is high, with over half of Utah’s water going to growing alfalfa and other hay crops for feed for cattle. 

The state needs to intervene, and update water policies to reflect the needs of the times. Until they do though, here’s a few reasons to consider taking individual action on this issue. 

Meat production, particularly beef, significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The methane produced by cattle farming is particularly potent, trapping heat in the atmosphere and accelerating global warming. This vicious cycle intensifies extreme weather events, endangers ecosystems, and disrupts agricultural patterns, impacting communities worldwide.

On a global scale, America’s love for the cheeseburger is contributing to the decimation of the Amazon rainforest, which is currently experiencing a drought and record breaking fires. Cattle ranching is responsible for a large portion of deforestation in the Amazon. The United States is the second-biggest buyer of Brazilian beef, according to a Washington Post article.

Eating too much red meat is also bad for your personal health. Dr. Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard, says that an accumulated body of evidence shows a clear link between high intake of red and processed meats and a higher risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature death.