Letter to the Editor The Washington Post
Posted on March 25, 2025
Dear Editor,
The article “Study: Grass-fed beef isn’t better for the planet” (March 18) does an excellent job of debunking the persistent myth that grass-fed beef is environmentally sustainable. However, it does not go far enough in addressing the full scale of beef’s impact on climate change.
Of all the foods we consume, beef is by far the biggest contributor to climate change—potentially generating up to 500 times the global pollution of vegetables and grains. Beyond methane emissions and land use inefficiencies, beef production also drives massive deforestation, particularly in Brazil, where vast swaths of rainforest are cleared not only to graze cattle but also to grow the enormous quantities of feed they consume. This deforestation is a climate double whammy: it not only releases stored carbon into the atmosphere but also eliminates crucial tree cover that once absorbed large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Moreover, beef’s harm is not limited to the environment. Its high saturated fat content is linked to heart disease and other health issues, making it problematic from both a planetary and public health perspective.
As the highest per capita meat consumer in the world, the United States bears significant responsibility for the environmental consequences of our dietary choices. If we are serious about tackling climate change, we must rethink our dependence on beef and shift toward more sustainable, plant-based foods.
Sincerely,
Jane DeMarines
4982 Sentinel Dr., Bethesda MD 20816
