What We’re Reading | Reducing beef consumption could cause more harm than good for Canada’s climate goals

By Anne Wasko, National Newswatch 

You have heard it on the news, seen it in the headlines and clicked it on social media: we should reduce meat consumption to decrease our individual carbon footprint and protect the environment. Recently, restaurants and food websites have removed beef from their menus and recipes in claims to be doing their part to become more climate conscious.

Could it possible that in some parts of the world, raising beef cattle actually preserves endangered ecosystems, provides valuable wildlife habitat and promotes carbon sequestration? In Canada, these are the environmental benefits from the land cared for by beef farmers and ranchers and their livestock. With less than 2% of Canadians directly involved in agriculture, it is not surprising that these immense benefits are not well known by the average consumer.

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‘What We’re Reading’ is a quick look at some of the issues and insights Alberta Beef Producers’ content creators and editors are reading to stay up-to-date, to broaden perspectives, and to explore issues relevant to the agriculture industry.

Anne Wasko is a rancher, market analyst, and Chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.