Meat must be rationed to four portions a week, says report on climate change

[The Straight Story]

Meat must be rationed to four portions a week, says report on climate change
• Study looks at food impact on greenhouse gases
• Return to old-fashioned cooking habits urged


People will have to be rationed to four modest portions of meat and one litre of milk a week if the world is to avoid run-away climate change, a major new report warns.

The report, by the Food Climate Research Network, based at the University of Surrey, also says total food consumption should be reduced, especially "low nutritional value" treats such as alcohol, sweets and chocolates.

It urges people to return to habits their mothers or grandmothers would have been familiar with: buying locally in-season products, cooking in bulk and in pots with lids or pressure cookers, avoiding waste and walking to the shops - alongside more modern tips such as using the microwave and internet shopping.

The report goes much further than any previous advice after mounting concern about the impact of the livestock industry on greenhouse gases and rising food prices. It follows a four-year study of the impact of food on climate change and is thought to be the most thorough study of its kind.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/30/food.ethicalliving

[Mojorabbit]

1. Cut down on Booze and Chocolate?

No way. The other stuff I do, pressure cook and buying mostly in season.

[navarth]

2. Truth

that's what it sounds like to me.

Speaking as a vegetarian...I refuse to participate in the meat thing any more, and I feel better for it. Vegetarianism isn't for everybody I suppose, but just cutting down on the meat intake would mean less rain forest being cut down.

[annabanana]

3. We would probably all be a lot healthier. . . .n/t

[negativenihil]

4. I'm going to double my meat and dairy intake

...just to be an asshole.

[RadiationTherapy]

8. Whhooaaa. That is sooooo contrarian!

[NNN0LHI]

16. Yea but a contrarian with style

;-)

[RadiationTherapy]

18. What style is that? The "most obvious, uncreative and cliche" style?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. maverick. nt

[weezie1317]

5. Another sign that vegetarians save the world ;)

[yellowcanine]

6. Hmm. My mother used the pressure cooker a lot. Can't say I would recommend it.

Overcooked and steamed comes to mind.

[Phoonzang]

7. No.

[Marie26]

9. So much for my low-carb diet. nt

[AngryAmish]

10. No. Just no.

I like drinking. I like meat.

[RadiationTherapy]

19. I like living in the woods and I am going to continue to try to cause our economy to collapse

until everyone lives in the woods!

[MadrasT]

11. Meh.

I don't even eat meat four times a week now. :woohoo: We're better off without it.

[FirstLight]

12. I asked my mom what she could remember of the depression...

she was a young child, being born in '36...

she told me about raising chickens and selling the eggs to buy flour, etc...she also said, "we sure didn't have meat every night, and not at every meal"

Maybe that's why when she helps me out & buys groceries, she makes sure to get meat for our freezer, she sees it as a sign that you are doing well.



ETA: lol, raisin chickens...not awake yet

[Thothmes]

13. My grandmother fried

almost every cut of meat in bacon drippings or lard. Eggs were fried in bacon dripping. Do recall it all tasted very good.

[mainegreen]

14. So, if I'm eating one portion of meat every two weeks, does this balance my 1.5 gallons of milk

per week?

:D

[earth mom]

15. We don't eat beef around our house anymore & often have meatless meals. nt

[Suspicious]

20. Yay!

I've been a vegetarian for years and often cook with meat substitutes for my non-veg family, who actually admit liking it (although my daughter flipped out when she ate one of my veggie hot dogs by accident one time - "Mom, I think these hot dogs are rotten!")

[Pakhet]

21. who has money for meat?

haven't had more than a little bitty piece of fish all month. I'd love some hamburger, but not at those prices :(