Meat is a leading emissions source–but few outlets report on it, analysis finds
5 hours ago
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- Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to fossil fuels.
- Only about 25% of climate articles in major US outlets mention food and agriculture as a cause of climate change.
- Meat production is responsible for nearly 60% of food sector emissions, yet 74% of US respondents believe eating less meat has little to no climate impact.
- Media coverage often overlooks animal agriculture, with only 3.8% of analyzed articles mentioning it.
- The lack of coverage reflects broader neglect in climate policy and advocacy circles.
- Cultural sensitivities and industry pushback make discussing dietary changes politically fraught.
- Deforestation for agriculture, driven by meat production, emits as much carbon annually as the entire US.
- Reducing ruminant meat consumption in wealthy countries could nearly eliminate the need for additional deforestation.
- Media plays a crucial role in informing the public about the climate impact of food choices, despite structural challenges.