The craziest thing I learned today is that humans eat more than 50 billion chickens each year. Our annual diet also includes 1.5 billion pigs, and hundreds of millions of sheep, goats, and cows.

According to researchers at the University of Illinois, a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the world’s food systems. Meat production alone accounts for 57% of these emissions, as opposed to the 29% that comes from plant-based food. Researchers from Oxford University highlight that cutting back on meat consumption can significantly reduce warming the planet and decrease the harm to land, water, and biodiversity.

Do you see yourself cutting back on meat?

Questions for Discussion

1. Have you ever tried cutting back on meat? If so, why? And if not, will you ever be willing to?
2. What are some of the challenges people face when trying to reduce their meat consumption?
3. Could technological innovations like lab-grown meat change the future of our diet, and how would you feel about consuming it?
4. Considering the significant carbon footprint of meat production, should there be an extra tax on meat products to encourage reduction in consumption?
5. Do you think everyday people have a responsibility for fighting climate change? Or is it something we should only demand from governments and companies?
6. Humans domesticated many animals over the course of history. Why did some animals become pets while others are used for their meat and muscle power?