It makes the claim in the sixth in a series of MythCrusher
videos that seek to shape public opinions about the meat industry.
Eric Mittenthal, NAMI vice president of
public affairs, said “a close look at
the data shows that the environmental impact of the meat industry has declined
considerably over the last 40 years.
“Specific to beef, the industry has
produced 13 per cent more total beef
from 30 per cent fewer animals, using 19 per cent less feed, 33 percent less
land, 12 per cent less water and nine percent less fossil fuel energy with an
overall carbon footprint reduction of 16 per cent,” he says.
This video is intended to counter the
oft-repeated media report that emissions from global meat production are
greater than from transportation. It says that study included everything from birth to slaughter to meat processing for the environmental impact of meat, but didn't take the same inclusive approach for transportation.
Mittenthal said that claim “has been widely
challenged by scientists” and said there are many different definitions and numbers
cited for greenhouse gas emissions from the meat industry.
NAMI is trying to point reporters to
the data it prefers.
