The Amazon rainforest has been on fire for almost a month now, and everyone has something to say about it. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro relented recently to international pressure, sending in the army to help to battle the blazes.
Are the fires worse than usual? Apparently so...
This is inarguably an environmental disaster for many reasons, and it is generally believed that most of these fires are being lit on purpose – to clear land for crops and grazing.
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef. The carbon footprint of beef is a big talking point these days. Indeed, on world average, it’s one of the worst food choices in terms of using our resources and contributing to our impending climate problems. Hong Kong and China together account for about 45 per cent of the exports of beef from Brazil.
But not all beef is equal. White Oak Pastures in the USA believes that its beef contributes a carbon surplus owing to regenerative grazing techniques, resulting in carbon sequestration into the soil.
RELATED: Foods with the highest carbon footprint
As consumers, it’s increasingly important to become aware of how our food has been produced; we need to educate ourselves to make better choices.
Join us at the Food’s Future Summit in October to do just that.
