Is a carnivorous diet environmentally friendly? Can you eat only meat and still respect the environment?

When we mention the carnivore diet , we often point the finger at it, assuring that it is not ecological , compared to the vegan diet for example.

Indeed, industrial meat production is very polluting and energy-intensive.

However, new models of agriculture and livestock farming, or rather old forgotten models, are reappearing and could make this way of eating ecological.

What is the origin of the carnivorous diet?

In ancient times, when Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal man shared the earth, ecological questions were not raised; it was necessary to survive, and for that it was necessary to hunt .

A very different image from what we know today since the majority of humanity buys its rib steak in supermarkets .

But let's keep this observation for later...

Our ancestors ate mainly what they could hunt and gather in their natural environment and according to the climatic conditions to which they were subjected.

In fact, during our entire evolution we would have undergone at least ten ice ages , which made our consumption of plants practically zero.

Our digestive system has therefore adapted.

It was only much later that human beings caused the greatest damage to their environment, and to themselves at the same time.

The carnivorous diet thus has its roots in the eating habits of our ancestors , and consists of feeding, like them, almost exclusively on products of animal origin , such as meat, fish, eggs and sometimes some dairy products.

All of this in a raw, unprocessed way, which is also very close to the primal diet , a close cousin of the carnivore diet.

Today, the carnivore diet has become a topic of interest for many people seeking alternative approaches to improve their health and well-being.

Proponents of this diet highlight potential benefits such as improved weight management , stable energy, reduced inflammation, increased testosterone , improved digestive issues, and sometimes even reduced symptoms related to autoimmune diseases .

The leading figures of this movement are Joe Rogan the podcaster, Jordan Peterson the great psychologist, and the doctor Paul Saladino author of the book The Carnivore Code.

What are the origins of breeding?

Livestock farming is an ancient practice that dates back several thousand years.

After millennia of nomadism and hunting, homo sapiens settled down and subsequently created herd farming .

In its early days, animal husbandry focused primarily on domesticating animals for the production of meat, milk, and later, comfort items such as wool and leather.

With the evolution of human societies, livestock farming grew in importance, and agriculture developed to provide food for animals, and then for humans.

It was during this period that humans moved from a very partial consumption of cereals to a significant consumption , until today where they have never been so present in our diet.

Later, civilizations appeared and livestock farming now had to provide more meat to feed the city.

The simple herd is no longer sufficient; it is the beginning of breeding in larger quantities.

And after several millennia, this type of breeding has reached its peak with farms that sometimes have hundreds of thousands of animals.

It is therefore not surprising that this type of farming is associated with significant environmental problems .

Why is meat production not environmentally friendly?

Carnivorous diets have many benefits , but are they all legitimate if this way of eating massively destroys nature?

The main ecological challenge posed by carnivorous diets is linked to the overconsumption of natural resources .

Indeed, intensive farming of animals for consumption requires enormous quantities of land, water and food.

Currently, for one kilo of beef, which is the most resource-intensive animal and emits the most greenhouse gases, several hundred liters of water are required.

And examples of this sort continue when we talk about intensive farming.

Ruminants, such as cows and sheep, produce methane when digesting their food, but this is nothing compared to the ecological costs of transportation, water supply, etc.

Not to mention the millions of hectares of corn and soybean fields in monoculture , used for intensive livestock farming which destroy the land , draining it of all its vital energy .

To do this, you don't need to go very far; in Europe, our monoculture fields have unfortunately become legion.

In short, corn fields are very harmful to biodiversity.

And not to mention the ethical questions surrounding animal suffering.

This intensive farming method is not sustainable.

In addition, overfishing and the degradation of marine ecosystems are also consequences of excessive consumption of seafood.

Did you know that industrial fishing uses gigantic boats that scrape the entire ocean floor, thus destroying the seabed?

Corals, multi-colored fish, algae of all kinds, all of this is in danger of disappearing for these reasons.

So, at first glance it is difficult to imagine feeding the planet with meat ...

And yet I was able to discuss these questions with guests of the Mouvers podcast, and their answers are absolutely fascinating!

What solutions exist to combine ecology and livestock farming?

Indeed, although the traditional carnivore diet can be problematic from an ecological point of view, there are more sustainable alternatives for people wishing to adopt a diet based primarily on animal products .

If we zoom out a little...

The form of current agriculture is only very recent when we look at the great history of humanity.

Moreover, across the planet, several peoples have maintained a way of raising their animals that is very respectful of biodiversity.

We can think of certain peoples of Africa and Asia!

Moreover, some tribes feed on the blood of cattle directly from the beast, without killing it!

By cutting a specific vein.

As you will have understood, we are a long way from our overconsumption habits...

For example, choosing to eat meat from free-range and healthy-fed animals can help reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming.

Because the solution also involves the consumer...

If tomorrow all meat consumers decided to no longer consume meat from industrial production, intensive livestock farming would no longer have any reason to exist.

Obviously it's more complex than that, but it's an interesting line of reasoning.

Coming to solutions, agroecology is a very interesting alternative.

It is an approach that seeks to integrate agriculture and livestock farming into sustainable and balanced ecosystems.

This involves promoting environmentally friendly livestock farming methods, such as rotational grazing and extensive livestock farming, which allow animals to feed naturally without destroying the environment.

According to one of my podcast guests, Jean-Christophe Ordonneau, we could feed the planet 100% carnivore.

He highlights the fact that agricultural land represents only a quarter of the Earth's surface and that it is becoming depleted.

While a large percentage of the land could support cattle and other animals, using the agroecological techniques mentioned above, this could help feed the planet .

With these methods, the animals are outdoors and have access to quality food all year round.

And just like humans, a physiologically sound diet will allow the animal to live in health and develop fewer illnesses.

No more need for antibiotics that destroy our intestinal microbiota!

And as my friend Nicolas Mercadier, son and grandson of a breeder, says so well:

“Cows on sustainable farms die for meat production, it’s true, but at least they had a life .”

Unlike animals that are exploited in intensive farming.

As for solutions, that's not all, there is also agroforestry farming .

This approach involves integrating livestock farming with tree planting and forest preservation .

It's quite simple to understand: trees provide shade, animal feed, and help regenerate soils, while also capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

It's a reproduction of what happens in nature, no need to look far to be inspired...

And if you want to dig deeper, copying nature for human purposes has a name: biomimicry .

How can we make meat production more environmentally friendly?

There you have it, my Mouvers, you now know that carnivorous diet can be in line with ecology.

Even if, we are not going to hide it, and given the current situation, it is not a given !

Indeed, combining ecology and livestock farming is a major challenge, but promising solutions are emerging to make this practice more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

By opting for agroecological, sustainable and organic livestock farming practices and by integrating livestock farming into the preservation of ecosystems, we can help reduce the environmental footprint of livestock farming,

While preserving our planet for future generations .

It is essential that governments, agricultural companies and consumers work together to promote these practices and make livestock farming an ally of the environment.

See that it fits perfectly into our environment.

Thank you for your attention, my Mouver!

And if you want to bounce back or simply share your experience with meat-based eating, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments section 😉

Nomad Slim
Founder of MOUVERS