Can Eco-Conscious Carnivores Have Their Steak And Eat It Too?

Can eco-conscious carnivores have their steak and eat it too?

Studies have demonstrated that one of the most effective ways for a person to reduce their carbon footprint is to cut back on their meat consumption — particularly beef, which is one of the biggest offenders in terms of land use and greenhouse gas emissions.

But carnivores may not have to quit meat cold turkey in order to have a significant positive impact on the environment, says Corby Kummer. Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Kummer says reducing meat consumption even a little bit can make a big difference.

"It's time to have the amount of just one or two hamburgers a week," Kummer said.

According to Mother Jones, cutting back meat consumption to under six ounces a day per person can "slash global food-related emissions by nearly a third." Eating less meat has an even bigger impact, Kummer pointed out.

"[Adopt] a 'flexitarian' diet — 1.5 ounces of meat a day, about three hamburgers worth a week — and you'll help cut these emissions by 52%," Kummer added.