I think the point is that while giving up meat might have a significant effect on your carbon footprint from food consumption, it will have a small effect on yo

I think the point is that while giving up meat might have a significant effect on your carbon footprint from food consumption, it will have a small effect on your overall carbon footprint. A carnivore who never take an airplane and bikes everywhere is going to have a smaller carbon footprint than a vegan who drives an SUV to work every day and jet sets around the world. That being said, none of this is a good argument for not giving up meat.