Talks to Watch

Is Meat Really that Bad?

9.2M views · Nov 30, 2021 · 10:14 · 2 HN recommenders · 7 mentions · discussed 2021–2022

A Kurzgesagt animated explainer on the climate and environmental cost of meat. It covers how beef drives deforestation and emissions, and how this compares with plant-based foods.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters cite it as a clear, well-sourced summary of why meat, especially beef, has such a large environmental footprint.

“Kurzgesagt just did a great video on the subject”HN comment, 2021

What Hacker News said 7

RecommendskarmelappleDec 2021

“discussing how space for beef cattle drives deforestation in Brazil.”

Explains how beef cattle drive deforestation in Brazil

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Here's a related recent video from Kurzgesagt, discussing how space for beef cattle drives deforestation in Brazil. this video

in “See brands' supply chain linkages that are contributing to Amazon deforestation” · view on HN
RecommendssweetheartDec 2021

“Kurzgesagt just did a great video on the subject”

Great video on animal agriculture's contribution to global emissions

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Lots of disinformation here. Let's start from the top: 1. Veganism isn't a diet, it's a moral belief system. Diet is merely one manifestation of that belief system. 2. "Proteinless garbage"? What is this, the 90s? We've moved beyond the silly misconceptions that protein = meat. Do your research, please. Hitting daily protein goals is absolutely trivial on a vegan diet. Seriously, it's stupidly easy. 3. Animal agriculture is an astounding contributor to global emissions. Kurzgesagt just did a great video on the subject: this video We invite you into the 21st century, when you're ready. You'll have to leave the macho "I don't eat rabbit food" delusions behind, though.

in “Remove an Omnivore's Statue? Debate Ensues over the Legacy of Factory Farming” · view on HN
RecommendssweetheartAug 2022

“There are some amazing Kurzgesagt videos exposing how and why that is true [2].”

Explains why animal protein is less efficient than plant protein

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How do you arrive at the conclusion that the best thing to do in the US is switch your meats? Every form from animal protein is going to be less efficient than plant protein and result in more emissions [1]. There are some amazing Kurzgesagt videos exposing how and why that is true [2]. So since we know that eating animals is not required to be healthy at any stage of life [3] (assuming basic access to required nutrients and what not which is very easy in developed countries) how did you arrive to conclusion that eating chicken is better than eating lentils, beans, etc? I don’t think what you’re saying is based in fact. I’d love if you tried to prove me wrong though. 1. link 2. this video 3. link

in “Meatless meat is nothing new” · view on HN
Cites itaero-glide2Dec 2021

“Of course avoiding meat altogether is even better.”

Supports claim that avoiding meat is better for the environment

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Compared to traditional methods, factory farming has less emissions so it's (relatively) better for environment. Of course avoiding meat altogether is even better. this video

in “Remove an Omnivore's Statue? Debate Ensues over the Legacy of Factory Farming” · view on HN
Cites itasperousJun 2022

“There's quite a bit of discussion on GHG emissions of food, especially red meat.”

Discussion of greenhouse gas emissions of food, especially red meat

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There's quite a bit of discussion on GHG emissions of food, especially red meat. One video is here [1] [1] this video

in “Satellite Detects Largest Release of Methane in the World” · view on HN
Cites itornornorAug 2022

“There is a Kurzgesagt video on that exact point.”

Shows shipping plants emits far less than meat production

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There is a Kurzgesagt video on that exact point. Their analysis is that the emissions from shipping plants from further away to make your tofu is a drop in the bucket compared to the emissions you won’t be generating anymore by not consuming meat anymore. Meat which has to also have their food plants shipped around to them, on top of everything else. See this video

in “Fishing gear accounts for an alarming amount of plastic in oceans (2021)” · view on HN
Cites ittcfhgjAug 2022

“Compare the best meat against the worst plant based food and its still plant based>meat”

Compares environmental impact of meat versus plant foods

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What is health and planet positive based on? Compare the best meat against the worst plant based food and its still plant based>meat: this video

in “Meatless meat is nothing new” · view on HN