Consumer poll – meat not significant contributor to climate change
A global poll commissioned by sustainable food NGO Madre Brava, and conducted by Northstar Research has revealed that citizens in Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. do not consider 'industrially farmed' meat as a significant contributor to climate change. The respondents do not view livestock farming as the primary cause of greenhouse gas emissions, despite activists' claims to the contrary.
The 2023 poll, which surveyed over 7,000 adults across major meat-producing markets, found that deforestation, fossil fuels, plastic overuse, overpopulation, and overconsumption have a more significant impact on global warming than industrially produced meat. However, three out of four people still consume meat, with the USA and Brazil being the largest consumers per person. Many respondents cited essential nutrients, enjoyment, availability, and tradition as reasons for not reducing meat consumption.
Consumers in the surveyed markets prioritised the cost of living and access to low-cost, high-quality animal-sourced proteins. Financial security and personal health were their primary concerns, rather than environmental protection or animal welfare. The survey results suggest the need for clear communication of scientific facts and policies that promote sustainable livestock farming to provide affordable nutrient-dense foods.
