According to a
recent article in the Independent, Denmark’s ethics council is calling for a
tax on red meat to help fight climate change.
As cattle contribute
one-tenth of global methane emissions, the government think tank says people
are “ethically obliged to change their eating habits.
The council proposes
that the tax start with beef because of its large environmental impact, but
suggests it eventually be expanded to all foods at varying levels depending on
climate impact. The measure garnered the overwhelming majority of council votes
and will now be put forward for consideration by the government.
A press release
states that this measure is key to meeting the United Nations’ recent COP21
Paris climate change goals that aim to keep the global temperature rise well below
2°C.
Meat taxes aren’t
new. Late last year, Chatham House, a British think tank, released a study recommending
governments implement a meat tax to fight climate change.
The Chatham report asserts
that any resistance to a meat tax would be short-lived. People would initially resist
it, as they have cigarette taxes, but provided government officials offered a
clear rationale, they would grow to accept the need for such a measure.
The connection
between meat consumption and climate change has been making headlines. Just
take a look at this VICE News piece detailing the dramatic impacts a typical Western diet has on our
planet.
You can be part of
the solution by ditching animal products. Click here to order your FREE Vegetarian
Starter Guide today.