Real World vs biophobic #TechnoUtopianists.
1a
"Livestock are critical for sustainable development yet often overlooked. The world’s cows, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and other farm animals are the mainstay of livelihoods across the developing world. ... "
1b
"... And the energy and nutrient-dense milk, meat and eggs these animals produce provide hundreds of millions of families in the world’s poorer countries with basic livelihoods, incomes, food and nutrition." whylivestockmatter.org
2a
"Globally, livestock contribute about 40% of agricultural GDP and provide livelihoods and incomes for at least 1.3 billion people worldwide. ... " whylivestockmatter.org/economic-oppor…
2b
"... However, despite its economic importance, livestock receive just a small fraction of official development assistance to all of agriculture. With more investment, livestock production can be the economic driver for millions throughout the developing world."
3a
"A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to good global health and all of the related benefits that this brings. While huge progress has been made in reducing hunger, 2 billion people globally are still not getting all the nutrients they need. ... " whylivestockmatter.org/nutrition/
3b
"... Poor diets impair physical and cognitive development, preventing people, communities and countries from reaching their full potential." whylivestockmatter.org/nutrition/
3c
"Ensuring access to animal-source foods (ASFs) is a powerful way to ensure the world’s poorest can improve their diet, either through the animals they raise or the income they receive from them." whylivestockmatter.org/nutrition/
4a
"The health of animals and humans are intrinsically linked. Addressing animal diseases can directly improve human health, particularly in the developing world. ... " whylivestockmatter.org/health/
4b
"... Livestock also indirectly contribute to health goals by supporting better livelihoods and therefore better dietary, educational and health choices." whylivestockmatter.org/health/
5a
"Compared to other wealth and income opportunities, livestock are inflation-proof, self-perpetuating assets that women can own and benefit from. In addition to wealth accumulation, they provide income and nutritious food for their families." whylivestockmatter.org/gender/
5b
"While women assume much of the responsibility for raising livestock in many developing countries, they often face financial and cultural barriers to maximising this potential. ..." whylivestockmatter.org/gender/
5c
"... By investing in women farmers, women, their families and communities can benefit." whylivestockmatter.org/gender/
6a
"Livestock systems vary greatly around the world and can enhance or harm the environment depending on how they are managed. Livestock and environment interactions include climate change, water and land use, nutrient recycling, and biodiversity." whylivestockmatter.org/climate-enviro…
6b
"Livestock play a key role in the bio-economy by increasing the value of crop residues and agricultural by-products. Context-specific livestock production practices can be developed to maximize the synergies between livestock and the environment." whylivestockmatter.org/climate-enviro…
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83% of all livestock feed is consumed by ruminants, which can utilize resources humans cannot consume directly.
86% of the feed consumed by all livestock is NOT human edible. This amount of grain is 26% of 2018 global cereal production. 2/4
Sources
Mottet, A., et al. (2018). "Review: Domestic herbivores and food security: current contribution, trends and challenges for a sustainable development." Animal 12(s2): s188-s198.
3/4
The theme for #WorldEnvironmentDay2022 is "Only One Earth." Let's consider the essential role that #ruminants play in global food production and the unique ecological advantages they offer. First, what's a ruminant? 1/3
The vast majority of our one Earth's surface is unsuited for the production of plant source foods. But it can produce plant fiber that ruminant animals are uniquely capable of using - converting a resource humans cannot utilize into food of highest nutritive quality. 2/3
Ruminant production systems can *share* the environments where they're managed w/ existing vegetation & wildlife. Plant source food production requires some degree of ecosystem domination. Grassland ecosystems endangered by conversion to crop production. 3/3
Why it's important to know what *they* mean by the phrase "nutrient dense."
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans' third suggestion to "make every bite count" -
You might think you know what they mean by "nutrient dense," but let's check. So #dairy & #meat only qualify if they're low-fat because naturally-occurring animal fats are not nutrients, per DGA. Lettuce, a vegetable, does, per DGA. Does this fit your definition?
It gets worse!
"Plain Shredded Wheat," "Vegetable Oil," & "Sparkling Water" are nutrient dense but not butter, per DGA!!
"These folks can't be serious" you might think. Wrong. When dealing with them, insist on understanding their terms & phrases. Metrics (& language) matter.
Might be time to question your proposed solutions... ? Why getting the thinking of the High-Income Country's nutrition establishment sorted out on metabolic health and non-communicable diseases matters to the 85% of humanity living in Low- & Middle-Income countries.
Previous graphic from globalnutritionreport.org/reports/2021-g…
Read it to understand their mindset & world view.
How can the knowledge of human nutrition and metabolic health be incorporated into the global efforts? Imagine the possible impacts...
Following graphics from document cited previously.
Various authorities cite a lack of animal source foods as causal in these conditions.
2/4 And yet, even with this OVERESTIMATE, accounting emissions for the amount of foods needed to provide essential nutrients dramatically shifts the narrative. Now divide the beef or milk by 3... @TyRBeal
3a & 3b/4 And the land footprint and water use shifts when the essential utilizable nutrients being supplied are considered. Metrics Matter!