Goal 3
The animals used to get meat from are often fed with soya and grains imported from abroad. In addition to the ecological costs incurred by the long journeys that this animal feed has to cover, other costs include deforestation of precious forests, land use change, the resulting loss of biodiversity and those incurred by the growth of food products on industrial scale monoculture farms.
Facts and Figures
70% of the world’s acreage and pasturelands are used only to produce feed for animals (for the dairy and meat industry). This has led to the diminishing of rainforests as well as a loss of habitat for other species.
The German Society for Nutrition recommends a maximum of 300 – 600 g of meat per person per week.
For 1 kg of beef, approximately 15,500 litres of water are consu- med; for 1 kg of potatoes, 210 litres.
Industrial livestock farming is destructive for both environmental and human health.
Tips for Ramadan and Beyond
- When it comes to eating meat, eat less and be conscious of the real cost of it. Every regional cuisine has many delicious vegetarian dishes.
- Buy meat only from businesses that use suitable means for the upkeep and welfare of their livestock.
- Keep yourself informed about the repercussions of mass scale animal farming on rainforests, forests and, hence, the climate.
- Try to set an example by keeping your events vegetarian once in a while.
- In the case of Iftar events, for example, try to cook the dishes yourself. If this is not possible, you can ask the caterer about the ingredients that go into the food.
- Think of easy recipes that are nutritious as well as filling.
For more information about the ecological costs of meat:
German