Brazil must significantly reduce meat consumption, warns study

With a daily consumption of 140 calories of meat per person, Brazil is the largest consumer of this type of food in the world and will have to significantly reduce its protein intake to avoid a food crisis and a climate catastrophe, according to a report. study published this week. Wednesday (5).

According to the World Resources Institute (WRI) report, about 2 billion people around the world consume large amounts of meat – which, besides Brazil, includes Russia and the United States – must reduce their consumption by 40 % compared to the year 2010.

The WRI specifically badyzed the consumption of ruminant meat, which includes, in addition to cattle, sheep and goats. The study indicates that the ideal consumption would average 1.5 times a week and points out that half of the world's population consumes more protein than necessary.

The recommended reduction is lower than that reported in previous studies, but is considered realistic by the authors of this study, who estimate that the world will need 50% more food in 2050 to feed a world population of 10 billion inhabitants, 3 Billions more than today. At the same time, to limit climate change, greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture will need to be reduced by two-thirds.

Given this scenario, the WRI stresses that increased food production can not result in the expansion of agricultural areas nor the destruction of forests. Currently, half of the world's unmanaged areas are already used by the agricultural sector, which emits one-third of the greenhouse gases.

To avoid a food crisis and global warming, the report says that it will be necessary to increase productivity per hectare, reduce meat consumption and eliminate food waste , which accounts for one third of total production.

"We must change the way we produce and consume food, not only because of environmental problems, but also because it is an existential problem for humans," said Janet Ranganathan, Vice President from WRI.

The study also underscores the importance of increasing agricultural productivity while protecting forests and ecosystems, and cites Brazil as an example in the policy of granting credit to farmers. Agriculture related to the protection of the environment.

In addition to increasing productivity, the report recommends reforestation of areas with low agricultural potential, as Brazil has done in the Atlantic Forest.

The IRG report, Creating a Sustainable Food Future, was launched at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP-24) in Katowice, Poland.