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I don't know about ethics, as such, but you, as a consumer, can make decisions that are better than others. For example: it's better for your health to eat past

I don't know about ethics, as such, but you, as a consumer, can make decisions that are better than others. For example: it's better for your health to eat pasture-raised, free-range animals (and stay well away from feedlot raised). The nutrition profile of the meat is much better. Try buying from a butcher instead of a supermarket, and you'll be supporting a small business and probably get better product. Buy good quality and have it less frequently, than buy poor quality and eat it every day. Ethics aside, you can do compensatory actions in another area. Tree planting, habitat rehabilitation, eschew car ownership and take the bus/bike/walk, invest in renewables, donate to or volunteer at environmental charities, volunteer etc. To be effective, I guess link your meat consumption to your compensation. Eg: every 1kg of steak donate $2, or 10kg plant a tree, or whatever ... You also aren't obliged to eat meat all the time. Why not just twice a week? Disclaimer: lives on a farm in AU, eat our own meat, lives in an eco house, off grid, with an ambitious tree planting program. AMA if you want.

meatythrowaway 5y ago
Thanks, good ideas! I'm definitely interested in how I could invest in some carbon sink to offset the emissions. The idea is an extreme elimination diet for everything else so eating less isn't really a good option since that means my calories would go below maintenance. I'll look into some options on purchasing carbon capture services since I know some of those exist and that can directly offset the impact, do you know any reputable providers who actually do what they say?
- MrVandemar 5y ago
  I haven't looked into it I'm afraid. However, if any of what you're looking at is tree planting, remember: * "Planting a tree" implies a mature tree in 20 years time. Actually, it means someone dug a hole and put a seedling in it, that may well die in 3 months time if not cared for or planted in a place where it will survive. * Some carbon capture are basically tree plantations, which after n years, will cease to be carbon storage and suddenly become newspulp and then landfill. * Tree plantations are not habitat or an ecosystem - they are monocultures where very little else lives or grows. Do your research is all I can offer here.
muzani 5y ago
I'm not really a fan of compensary activities, because the guilt is often a more effective control. I've seen people do weird things like donate away 100% of the bribes they take. It gets rid of the guilt, but not the impact. I'd say just keep your meat consumption low and also donate $100 to tree planting every now and then.

meatythrowaway 5y ago

Thanks, good ideas! I'm definitely interested in how I could invest in some carbon sink to offset the emissions. The idea is an extreme elimination diet for everything else so eating less isn't really a good option since that means my calories would go below maintenance. I'll look into some options on purchasing carbon capture services since I know some of those exist and that can directly offset the impact, do you know any reputable providers who actually do what they say?

MrVandemar 5y ago
I haven't looked into it I'm afraid. However, if any of what you're looking at is tree planting, remember: * "Planting a tree" implies a mature tree in 20 years time. Actually, it means someone dug a hole and put a seedling in it, that may well die in 3 months time if not cared for or planted in a place where it will survive. * Some carbon capture are basically tree plantations, which after n years, will cease to be carbon storage and suddenly become newspulp and then landfill. * Tree plantations are not habitat or an ecosystem - they are monocultures where very little else lives or grows. Do your research is all I can offer here.

muzani 5y ago

I'm not really a fan of compensary activities, because the guilt is often a more effective control. I've seen people do weird things like donate away 100% of the bribes they take. It gets rid of the guilt, but not the impact. I'd say just keep your meat consumption low and also donate $100 to tree planting every now and then.