Study: Grass-Fed Beef is Up to 40 Times More Carbon Intensive Than Other Proteins
A new study published in the journal PNAS has debunked the idea that grass-fed beef is an environmentally friendly option. The research finds that even under the most optimistic scenarios, grass-fed beef is not less carbon-intensive than industrial beef and is three to 40 times as carbon-intensive as most plant-based and animal-based alternatives. This makes beef the most resource-intensive of common foods. It is sometimes claimed that cattle grazing enhances soil carbon sequestration. However, the study authors find that the evidence for this is not conclusive, and that even if it were true, the effect would not be impactful enough to reverse beef’s carbon intensity. Contrary to popular belief, grass-fed beef may even be worse for the environment than industrial beef, since animals are fattened …
