Joe Rogan and Elon Musk dismiss meat’s climate impact
News
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience (#2223), American Podcaster Joe Rogan and SpaceX founder Elon Musk claimed that eating less meat wouldn’t make a difference for the climate.
They brushed off the science, calling it “irrelevant.” The problem is that this claim is not just misinformed but dangerous. With such wide-reaching influence, their statements risk misleading millions about one of the most urgent actions we can take to curb emissions, which is, among other, cutting down on meat.
Here’s why meat actually does matter for the climate:
The big emissions footprint
Meat and dairy production releases double the greenhouse gases of plant-based foods. This isn’t just about the CO₂ from transporting food but also methane from livestock - a gas that’s about 25 times more potent than CO₂. Cutting down on animal-based foods is a straightforward way to reduce these emissions and has a more immediate impact than many realise.
Deforestation for agriculture
Meat production, especially from companies like JBS, is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation. Forests are cleared for grazing land and to grow soy feed, leading to fires and habitat destruction that emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide.
The role of JBS in environmental destruction
JBS is a prime example of how corporate meat production harms the environment. With operations stretching across the globe, JBS is tied to massive deforestation, habitat destruction, and even human rights abuses in regions where land is being cleared for cattle. Despite their claims of sustainability, investigations show JBS continues to source from areas linked to illegal deforestation and environmental damage. Their effect on Brazilian ecosystems is detrimental.
Climate goals depend on reducing meat consumption
Scientific research tells us that to keep global warming within 1.5°C, we need to rethink our food systems. Switching to a more plant-based diet, for example, could reduce food-related emissions by over 50% by 2050. Our dietary choices really do have a global impact.
More than just climate – it’s health and food security
Plant-based diets aren’t just good for the planet; they also improve health, reducing risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. When we shift away from meat-heavy diets, we’re freeing up land and resources to feed more people globally, creating a more sustainable and secure food system.
What this means for us
Rogan and Musk may have loyal fans, but when it comes to climate action, we should listen to science, not podcasts. The facts show us that cutting down on meat is one of the most effective steps we can take today. It’s not about “going vegan” overnight but about making choices that genuinely help protect our planet and future generations. To help get you started, have a look at some of these plant-based recipies to help reduce your impact.
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References
- FAO, 2013: Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock – This report highlights how livestock contributes to around 14.5% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from methane and nitrous oxide emissions FAO.
- IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land, 2019 – Demonstrates that dietary shifts toward plant-based foods can reduce emissions significantly, essential for staying within a 1.5°C warming threshold IPCC.
- Poore & Nemecek, 2018: Reducing Food’s Environmental Impacts Through Producers and Consumers, published in Science, found that plant-based diets produce significantly lower emissions compared to diets rich in animal products.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): The Amazon, Beef and Soy – Reports on how beef production is the leading driver of deforestation in the Amazon, especially in Brazil WWF.
- Greenpeace International, 2021: JBS and the Amazon – This report links JBS to deforestation in the Amazon, where illegal land clearing for livestock grazing continues to contribute to ecosystem loss and climate change Greenpeace.
- Mighty Earth: The Ultimate Mystery Meat – An investigation that explores JBS's role in deforestation, grain laundering, and greenhouse gas emissions, exposing environmental and ethical issues within JBS's supply chain Mighty Earth.
- Amnesty International, 2020: From Forest to Farmland – Documents the links between JBS and deforestation in Brazil, highlighting environmental destruction and violations of indigenous land rights Amnesty International.
- IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C – Summarizes the benefits of plant-rich diets for emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C IPCC.
- Nature Climate Change, 2021: Dietary Changes for Sustainable Food Systems – This journal article demonstrates that dietary shifts, particularly reducing red meat, could lower food-related emissions by over 50% Nature Climate Change