Meat Consumption Among Humans Continues to Rise
- 10 years ago
Despite decreases in certain regions, worldwide people are eating more meat than they used to, primarily because of the improved financial situations for many in China and India.
Despite decreases in certain regions, worldwide people are eating more meat than they used to, primarily because of the improved financial situations for many in China and India.
In those countries, people who once existed primarily on rice based diets are able to afford animal proteins into their daily dining choices.
Relatively significant increases in the two countries offset declines in other places, like Iceland for example, where once meat-dominated diets have become more diversified.
The implications the overall rise in carnivorous leanings has upon both the planet and its people are varied.
Of course, the great news is that hundreds of millions of people have worked their way out of poverty.
For better or for worse, the bump in meat consumption has earned humans a higher placement on the food chain.
Every species from algae to apex predators are placed according to their so called trophic levels, ranging from 1 to 5 point 5. Self sustaining plants occupy the lowest spot, followed by herbivores, then omnivores, all the way up to adept killers who have no or few predators of their own – like killer whales and polar bears.
Humans now have a rating of up to 2.6, putting us on par with pigs and anchovies. According to the study leader however, humans are still “closer to herbivore”, even with the overall increase in meat consumption.
Despite decreases in certain regions, worldwide people are eating more meat than they used to, primarily because of the improved financial situations for many in China and India.
In those countries, people who once existed primarily on rice based diets are able to afford animal proteins into their daily dining choices.
Relatively significant increases in the two countries offset declines in other places, like Iceland for example, where once meat-dominated diets have become more diversified.
The implications the overall rise in carnivorous leanings has upon both the planet and its people are varied.
Of course, the great news is that hundreds of millions of people have worked their way out of poverty.
For better or for worse, the bump in meat consumption has earned humans a higher placement on the food chain.
Every species from algae to apex predators are placed according to their so called trophic levels, ranging from 1 to 5 point 5. Self sustaining plants occupy the lowest spot, followed by herbivores, then omnivores, all the way up to adept killers who have no or few predators of their own – like killer whales and polar bears.
Humans now have a rating of up to 2.6, putting us on par with pigs and anchovies. According to the study leader however, humans are still “closer to herbivore”, even with the overall increase in meat consumption.