Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are often faced with a challenge that affects 4 of their ecological footprint. The impacts that these countries have were calculated through total and blue water, energy use and the greenhouse gas emission which were all affected by food consumption. Interestingly enough the Middle East and North African countries have switched forma traditional diet that consisted of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to a westernized diet that involved the over consumption of red meat. The demand to satisfy these countries' need for red meat and a more western diet has not only imposed a significant environmental cost but has increased the rate of diet related non-communicable diseases. In this study, researchers attempted to calculate how efficient or not a diet change in these countries would affect their ecological footprint. There are limitations to the study but a yield of next expenditure in those four footprints would be due to the dietary change to fruits, vegetables and grains mostly while the reduced red meat consumption and production would be reduced in these ecological footprints. This may not seem like something that is too revolutionary or something that is not know, but to see the way the western countries influence other countries into a diet that is not healthy for humans nor for the environment goes to show the power and effect that the western countries have. To reduce the overall red meat consumption globally could potentially lower green house emissions, energy use and total and blue water usage. This is significant only because as part of the western countries there is a need for influencing other countries to make the correct ecological choice and lower red meat production and consumption.
Table 1. Net changes in total water, blue water, energy use, and GHGE as a result of shifting to recommended dietary changes in MENA countries.
Hello Leticia, I was aware the US had a certain influential power over countries in the eastern hemisphere in terms of politics and pop culture but I didn't know the west as a whole could influence diet in other countries. I knew red meat consumption was a problem here because of how cheap and easily accessible it generally is, so I didn't think it would become a problem in other countries that weren't as commercialized or industrialized, but now I that know, I think it's important we get properly educated on how our diet not only negatively impacts our health, but the global carbon footprint as well.
ReplyDeleteHi letty, I enjoyed reading your post, the consumption of red meat is a global topic of discussion in terms of ethical, and political reasons. The small intricate details from the ecological footprint in other countries compared to our own daily activities. It is interesting to think about how it can impact the wellbeing and production and energy impact for red meat.
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