As many of you no doubt know, the raising of cattle accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than automobiles. This has led many greens to go vegan. However, as I detailed in a post on another blog, despite popular misconceptions, 100% veganism is likely to result in negative health effects. So, I decided to do some further investigating. I am well aware that most cows are corn fed their entire lives. Corn is an unnatural diet for cows and is the main reason commercial beef is so unhealthy (also discussed in my earlier post). Since one of the main reasons raising cattle leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions is their methane emissions, I immediately wondered if cows on their natural diet of grass would fare differently. According to the Institute for Environmental Research and Education, “Although an animal raised on pasture actually produces more methane…the pasture itself reduces the CO2 in the air through a process called ‘carbon sequestration.’” This sequestration is no small thing. According to a new study from Duke University:
“Grasses are deceptively productive,” says lead investigator Robert Jackson. “You don’t see where all the carbon goes, so there is a misconception that woody species [such as trees and shrubs] store more carbon. That’s just not the case.” Grasses store vast amounts of carbon in their underground root mass.
Raising cattle on grass is one way to make it financially feasible to expand our native grasslands. Although cows generate their own greenhouse gasses, the net effect of raising ruminants on pasture is to slow global warming.
Yes, you read that right. Cattle raised on grass have a net negative effect on greenhouse gas emissions. This doesn’t just lead to less emissions than before, it reduces the total emissions below zero. Now, granted, planting grasses and getting rid of cows would do even more, but let’s be reasonable. That just ain’t gonna happen. I suggest if you want to make the best compromise between your personal health and the health of the planet, eat only small amounts of beef and eat only grass-fed or wild animals. Some might consider this a sellout, but I am totally convinced by overwhelming evidence that I am not wrong on the health issue. The issue of sustainability is complex. It is not just about the environment. If we cannot get our healthcare system under control, we will have an unsustainable economy and everyone will suffer. The only way we are going to reduce healthcare costs is by changing our lifestyles. Eating right is an important component of being green, and simplistic analyses of the issues will not help us achieve the best solutions.
So, what can you do about this? Ask for grass-fed beef to be made available in SCAD dining halls. Ask restaurants you frequent to offer it as an option. Tell the owners you will gladly pay more for it (or eat smaller portion sizes). Ask your local supermarkets to carry it. Krogers on Gwinnett carries organic beef now, but it does not appear to be grass-fed. While organic beef is better for the environment than commercial beef (as the production of nitrogen fertilizer releases greenhouse gas emissions, it is only less bad for you personally (because it has no pesticide residues). However, if the cows are fed even organic corn and other grains (instead of grass), the fat profile of the meat is still inherently bad for you (as compared to the fat profile of grass-fed beef, which is a lot like the fat profile of wild fish). Publix often carries grass-fed beef from Maverick Farms in Colorado. It’s a small family farm, so you can feel good about that, too. (We need to be wary about supporting large agribusiness corporations, even if they produce organics and other “healthy” food. Many of their practices are not truly sustainable, so while their food may be better for you, it’s not good enough for the planet or the local farm economies.) So, if you want to support local businesses, the best choice in town is Brighter Day. They carry grass-fed beef in a variety of cuts. It’s not cheap, but then you shouldn’t be eating a lot of it anyway. 
I noticed their main brand comes from NJ, so I wondered if there was a local farm that produces such products. Turns out there are a number of them, including one in Bluffton. Bon appétit!
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