Black Friday: Your Plate, Your Planet
Beef is a staple in many diets, but it’s also one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally harmful foods we consume. The production of just 1 kg of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water, an amount that could hydrate one person for about ten years. This includes water for feed crops, drinking water for cattle, and water used in processing. Some studies suggest this water footprint could even reach 20,000 liters
In addition to water, beef production demands extensive land use. It contributes to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity, especially in regions like the Amazon, which is often cleared for cattle grazing or growing soy feed

The Hidden Environmental Costs
Beef is also a major greenhouse gas emitter. Producing 1 kg of beef emits about 60 kg of CO₂ equivalent, making it one of the most carbon-intensive foods. Methane emissions from cattle digestion and manure, alongside nitrous oxide from fertilizers used in feed production, further exacerbate the climate crisis. If the livestock sector were a country, it would rank as the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, after China and the United States
Economically, the hidden costs of beef production include environmental damages estimated at billions annually, affecting ecosystems and public health worldwide.
This Black Friday, consider the broader impact of your plate. Every choice we make about food affects the planet, and we all pay for this!
Source:
The Sustainability Footprint Of Beef
Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority
