The price of steaks might increase in Denmark because the country mulls about taxing beef and other red meats in its battle against climate change.
The Danish Council of Ethics, an independent body that advises the government, announced that Danes have an ethical obligation to reduce the impact of climate change and they could do this by lowering their red meat consumption.
"An effective response to climate-damaging foods that will also contribute to raising awareness of climate change must be united, which requires that society sends a clear signal through regulation," said Mickey Gjerris, a spokesman for the council.
All Types Of Red Meat Could Be Taxed In The Future
The majority of council members (14 of 17) said they support the "red meat tax." The council recommends an initial tax on beef, but will include other red meats in the future.
It added that other food products that will be deemed harmful to the environment could also be taxed.
"The Danish way of life is far from climate-sustainable, and if we are to live up to the Paris Agreement target of keeping the global temperature rise 'well' below 2 degrees Celsius, it is necessary both to act quickly and involve food," the council said.
Animal Agriculture: Key Driver Of Climate Change
Animal agriculture accounts for about 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the overall emissions from all types of transport across the globe, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said.
It is a common notion that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are the key factor that contributes to the growing problem of global warming. Scientists, however, believe that there are other key factors that contribute to climate change, including global food production, animal agriculture and waste disposal.
Animal agriculture or farming may be one of the major key drivers of climate change. This produces two other main greenhouse gases, which are methane and nitrous oxide.
About 10 percent of all emissions are from cattle and more than 43,000 liters of fresh water are required to manufacture just 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of beef.
Photo: Michael Cannon | Flickr
