Meeting the Need for Meat

In her food security talk, Masters student Emily Cassidy explains how reducing meat consumption can feed more people. By 2050, global crop production will need to double to meet the increasing demand for meat. While population growth is partly to blame, it is more so the need for meat that grows as the middle class does. However, meat production processes are extremely inefficient. In the United States, 67% of produced protein is lost. While humans need protein as a part of a healthy diet, they, on average, consume more meat than is nutritionally necessary.

Cassidy's food security talk implores people to consider what crops they are planting and if they are feeding the maximum number of people. If everyone became a vegan and cut out all meat and animal byproducts, we would be able to feed 70% more people. Or if this is unrealistic to some, switching from beef to pork or chicken is also a more sustainable alternative.