Reduced Meat Consumption in China

Introduction

One of the most important issues in the contemporary world concerns climate change and environmental sustainability. This s an issue that has gained public attention as a result of the significant changes that have taken place to the global climate, especially considering global warming. It has led to a situation where it has increasingly become apparent that it is essential to make sure that steps are taken to promote the advancement of sustainable development in order to promote the reduction of various risks to the environment. There are numerous instances of the effects of global warming that can be seen across the world, as seen in the manner through which the polar icecaps, especially that of the Arctic, are melting. The resultant rise in sea levels has the potential of leading to massive climatic disasters and destabilisation that is a direct threat to all natural life. There are numerous ways through which governments and individuals can act in order to make sure that there is the advancement of sustainable development across the world. One of these would be ensuring that there is creating a focus on meat production and consumption. Meat production and consumption can be considered to be among the most energy intensive processes across the world. This is because meat production involves considerable use of energy as well as effort in order to bring meat into the market. The entire process often results in a negative impact on the environment because not only does it involve the consumption of considerable energy, which is produced at the expense of the environment, but it also leads to the production of considerable waste, which is difficult to dispose of. It is therefore essential to ensure that initiatives are taken to promote the reduction of meat consumption across the world in order to advance the interests of environmental sustainability. In this paper, there will be a discussion of the process through the analysis of a case study on the reduction of meat consumption in China.

Description

The reduction of meat consumption is considered one of the best meant to make sure that there is the establishment of sustainable development. This is because the process will involve the reduction of emissions and energy consumption that is involved in the production of meat. Meat consumption is considered one of the biggest threats to the environment because it is a process that involves a considerable in take of meat, which is produced using considerable amounts of energy that increase carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Meat consumption has in recent years, especially in the developing world, risen from a rare treat to a staple in most households. This has led to a situation where meat production has increased considerably in order to cater for the growing market. While increased meat consumption can be looked upon as a sign of increased prosperity, it has also come to be a threat to the environment. In order to mitigate this threat, initiatives are being put in place to promote the reduced consumption of meat. It is estimated that if meat consumption is reduced, there is likely to be a reduction of hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the livestock industry across the world. Such a reduction would help in the advancement of means through which to enable sustainable development in such a way that the environment will be protected for the sake of future generations. The keeping and consumption of livestock for meat is among one of the biggest contributors to the emissions that lead to global warming. It is estimated that the keeping of livestock creates emissions that are more than the entire global transport sector; a sign that it is indeed a serious problem that has to be brought under control in the cause of environmental sustainability. Livestock often emit methane, which is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas, which the production of feed for the livestock leads to large carbon emissions.

The promotion of lifestyle changes is one of the most important ways through which to ensure that there is a significant reduction in carbon emissions. This is especially the case where meat consumption is concerned because as the global rate of meat consumption increases, there is a massive potential of its leading to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. There is need for policymakers as well as individuals in society to make sure that they seek solutions to the meat consumption problem in such a way that it is possible to reduce consumption. The reduction of meat consumption will ensure that there are significant changed in the livestock industry, which are likely to bring about more sustainable changes aimed at bringing about significant cuts to the production of emissions. The achievement of this goal cannot be underestimated because it is one of the most reasonable means that can be implemented to bring about more sustainable development, especially considering that the global population is continuously on the rise. Were meat consumption to continue at the same level as is currently the case, then it is likely that it could lead to the creation of considerable environmental problems. This is especially the case where there will not only be global warming, but it is likely that there will also be climatic changes that will be detrimental to the entire natural environment. Therefore, tackling climate change through encouraging reduced meat consumption involves not only sound scientific judgement, but also entrepreneurial support as well as responsible political decisions. Furthermore, it is also important that there is the sensitisation of the general public in such a way that brings about their involvement in the process because it is through them that the objective of reduced meat consumption can be effectively implemented. There is need to ensure that there is a belief in the carbon reduction concept within the public so that they can be able to slowly adapt to it and make it an essential part of their lives.

Case Study

One of the most significant developments in the Chinese meat industry is that meat has moved from being an extremely scarce product to a regular staple in many Chinese households. This is mainly because of the emergence of China as a global economic powerhouse, which has ensured that there is an increase in the number of people within its population within the middle class. A consequence has been that the increased meat production has essentially come about because of the greater purchasing power that the Chinese population has achieved when compared to previous decades. Furthermore, the consumption of pork in China has also increased significantly due to its affordability, to such an extent that it has become the world’s largest consumer. While China is still much lower than the United States when it comes to the average consumption of meat, seems to be catching up. This is considering that in recent years, while meat consumption in the United States has essentially remained stable, the Chinese meat consumption has increased significantly. A consequence has been that Chinese meat companies are seeking opportunities to cater for the demand in the domestic market. Such initiative have led to a considerable increase in the availability of meat in the Chinese market to such an extent that it has not only become cheaper, but it has also become a basic part of the nation’s diet. However, meat consumption has also brought with it considerable environmental ramifications, with many of them being negative. Policymakers in the country have come to the realisation that the increase in meat consumption within the population carries with it an environmental risk that cannot be ignored. This is the case because the Chinese government has proven itself to be among the foremost in the world when it comes to taking measures to bring about environmental protection and sustainable development.

As the consumer of about a quarter of the world’s meat, China has the responsibility of developing policies aimed at reducing its meat consumption. This is because China has a lot to lose if it continues on the same path of meat production and consumption as it is currently on. Not only does an increase in meat production have a negative environmental impact through greenhouse gas production, and the clearing of forests in order to create space for feed production, but it is also faced with the potential of an increase in a number of health problems. Among these is an increase in cases of obesity, which is becoming a considerable problem in the country. In recent years, China has seen more than 100 million cases of diabetes cases, which is the largest in the world. This condition is mostly brought about through obesity, cases of which can come about through cases of excessive meat consumption. However, there is recognition that despite the best efforts by the Chinese government, it is likely going to be a challenge to convince its population to reduce its meat consumption. One of the reasons behind it is that it will be difficult to convince the growing middle class to give up on meat, which has become an essential part of their diet as well as a sign of their prosperity. Furthermore, the rapid urbanisation of the country could create problems because under such circumstances, demand for meat is likely to increase rather than decrease.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead is among the most significant reservoirs in the western United States, serving many of the cities along the Colorado River. Studies have shown that the levels of this lake are likely to drop over the coming years and that if no action is  to remedy this situation, then Lake Mead will most likely dry up by the year 2021. There are many factors other than climate change, which are believed to have a significant effect to the lake’s drying up. It is these factors, excluding climate change, which shall be discussed in this paper in relation to the dropping water levels on Lake Mead.

One of the factors which affect the increase in the dropping levels of water on Lake Mead is the rise in the human population which relies on the water supply from the lake. Lake Mead is responsible for the supply of water to such key cities as Phoenix and Las Vegas, and the ever increasing human population in these cities is stretching the ability of Lake Mead to supply water efficiently. If action is not taken to get an alternative source of water for this population, then it is most likely that the lake will indeed be dried up in a few years time (Henetz).

A significant factor, which has a crucial effect on the possible drying up of Lake Mead, is drought. This reservoir is situated at a place which is particularly prone to drought. It is, therefore, extremely difficult to predict whether a drought will last for only a few months, or for several years. This makes it highly uncertain that the water in lake will be maintained in the current levels. There are times when there is an abundance of rainfall to replenish the water supply, but such rains are always short and are, therefore, not reliable. It is more likely than not that drought will continue to plague this region unless there is a serious climatic change (Brean).

The maintenance of the water levels of Lake Powell, which is upstream of Lake Mead, also has an effect on the possibility of the latter drying up. More water is required to maintain the height of Lake Powell, and this is detrimental to Lake Mead. This is because Lake Mead is denied the necessary supplies of water needed to ensure that it does not dry up. Moreover, Lake Mead, as stated above, supplies ever growing cities, and because of this, it needs more water to ensure that this supply is stable. If this trend continues for the next few years, then it is inevitable that Lake Mead will dry up (Rogers).

Lake Mead, and by extension the Colorado River which maintains it, relies heavily on the abundance of snowfall to replenish its water supply (Hawkins). Snowfall is not usually abundant, and there are times when it is not enough to maintain the level required for the lake to be effective. This means that in order to supplement the water supply of Lake Mead, there is often an overreliance on rainfall. Rainfall is always in short supply, in this area due to the fact that it is prone to drought. This dependence on rainfall is, therefore, not logical because it is not known whether it might utterly fail. If the latter happens for an exceedingly long time, then it is highly likely that Lake Mead will dry up.

Global warming – Myth or Reality

The issue concerning global warming should not be politicized. There are people out there who live in secured areas and because they have money, and they think they can buy anything. What has to be realized is the fact is that global warming is taking place every second. Politicians are using it as a way of winning votes in their respective countries worldwide. They stage campaign crusades to talk about it but in the long run, they are the exact people fueling the process. They own those companies which emit dangerous gasses every day, but they never talk about it during their campaigns (Lynch, et al, 213). Some people have gone to the extent of being too philosophical and only believe that it is just a myth rather than a reality. Even religious leaders, who do not have as much education as other people do, are much more sensitive on the issue of global warming. These religious leaders talk about the issue of global warming in church. This is their right because they believe that it is one of the catastrophes written in the Holy Bible. Behreandt, D (Pg 31) contends that the issue of global warming has raised a hot debate in the world in the twenty-first century. The main problem is that people are pretending not to see the fact and are, instead, waiting to see what exactly will happen. Let everyone be vigilant so that this problem can be solved in a united and logical way.

It will be sensitive of us to take the facts with us and live by them, and I will not hesitate to fight those who oppose the existence of global warming. The fact is that it is real and this reality will always prevail no matter how much we try to conceal it. I will not deny that people are different but if we consider the ideology of global warming being a myth, what facts do we have? Fictitious stories will be written to explain the idea that global warming is just a myth.  The most pertinent question to be asked would be ''are we going to be solving the problem since it is already with us?'' Millions of dollars will be generated by the sales revenue of books and movies.  However, a time will come when the truth will matter to us more than the economic endeavors. That is when the whole world will be desperate for relevance because all the doors of saving the planet will be shut. Christian believers will term this as a biblical rupture and they will certainly say the savior has come. However, when we think deeply, there can never be such a thing because the coming of the Messiah shall not be revealed to anyone, not even Christ himself.

The effects are real as scientists have already demonstrated the depletion of the ozone layer due to the massive emission of harmful gasses such as carbon dioxide. In addition to this, the sea level has been on the increase especially in the twentieth and the twenty-first century. This is a clear sign that we are burying ourselves slowly, claiming that we are technologically advancing the world. Signs of destruction such as the tsunami are evidence of the consequences of rising temperatures. All these among other are caused by the increased human activities that lead to the release of the causing factors. One would argue that the increase in the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere goes back to the start of the industry in Europe. This means that more carbon dioxide is being produced without control and release in the atmosphere. Moreover, vehicles that emit harmful gases are being manufactured every day. On the other hand, no one is ready to put measures on the control of such gasses. The steady decrease of the quantity of irradiance on the planet is a contributing feature to the disaster. This is happening as a result of what are called aerosols which are produced by the presence of pollutants and volcanoes. As a result, the cooling effect is being reduced hence more rays of sunlight reaching the earth. The continued destruction of the aerosols has reached its highest point and that is why the temperatures are increasing. At the same time the ice is thawing into the Atlantic Ocean leading to an increase in the sea level.

Another consequence of rising temperatures is the change in the climatic patterns. It is becoming increasingly difficult to predict what the weather will be like in a few months’ time. As a result, hurricanes have been on the increase in America and other parts of the world. Heavy rains without patterns have destroyed houses and claimed so many lives especially in Africa. Water borne diseases are on the increase as a result of the rains. We are talking about a problem after the other each and every day. Each second means a change in the environmental conditions and this means that in the near future people will not be able to walk freely on the planet earth. It will no longer be the heaven that we used to enjoy and instead it will be the hell that has been talked about by believers. The effects of global warming will not be evenly distributed and there are areas that will be more prone to the effects. On the other hand,   there will be others that will not be hard hit by the catastrophe (Hayashi, et al, 87).  However, this should not be a segregation factor. People should not start saying that I play my part in reducing global warming. People should come together and see this as a global crisis as it already is and start working hand in hand for the future of this planet. The future generation is dependent on the effort to making this planet a healthier place. Politics should be put a side and people concentrate on what matters most.

Those who still believe that global warming is but a myth should spare some time and learn more about what it is causing to the planet. They should be more analytical and see over the horizon and in this way; they will appreciate the consequences of human activities on the planet. They will at least be aware of what is ahead of them. There is no falsehood when talking about a worldwide crisis as global warming. The intergovernmental forum has to strategies ways of fighting the crisis rather than fighting among themselves. In the process, people should not disregard that fact that the problem is in within us.