As the world’s population continues to soar past the 7 billion mark, an unavoidable question looms over humanity’s future: What will we be eating for the next century?
With over 2 billion people expected to join the global population by 2050, one thing is certain—our food choices will be crucial to sustaining both our environment and our well-being.
The food industry is responsible for a staggering 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the meat industry is at the forefront of this environmental burden.
But what if we could suddenly wave a magic wand and convince everyone to give up meat?
Would that be enough to turn the tide on climate change, pollution, and other pressing global issues?
Let’s dive into the idea of a world without meat—a massive shift that could alter the course of our planet’s future.
A Huge Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The question of what would happen if every person on Earth stopped eating meat overnight has been studied.
According to researchers from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, a 2009 study published in the journal Climate Change found that a global shift to vegetarianism or veganism could yield substantial environmental benefits.
By 2050, carbon emissions related to agriculture could drop by 17%, methane emissions by 24%, and nitrous oxide emissions by 21%. Greenhouse gases—the biggest drivers of climate change—would see similar reductions.
But the best part?
These improvements could come at a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions like imposing carbon taxes or building out renewable energy infrastructure.
In other words, convincing the world to cut meat consumption would be one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce global warming.
According to L. V. Anderson from Slate.com, while a meat-free world wouldn’t eliminate global warming entirely, “it would go a long way toward mitigating climate change.”
Not only would the planet benefit from fewer emissions, but our resources—water, land, and energy—would be spared the enormous demand that comes with raising livestock.
The environmental toll of meat production, which requires vast land use and massive quantities of water and feed, would be drastically reduced.
What’s more, the potential for reforesting land that was once dedicated to livestock farming could help absorb even more carbon, further offsetting the damage humans have done to the environment.
Meat Isn’t Just Bad for the Planet—It’s Bad for Our Health Too
Now, here’s the twist: What if the benefits of a meat-free world aren’t just environmental, but health-related too?
We’ve long heard the argument that reducing meat consumption is healthier for our bodies.
Yet, despite the rising popularity of plant-based diets and documentaries about the dangers of red meat, many people still cling to their meat-heavy habits.
The idea of cutting out meat feels like a radical shift to some—an unfair challenge to a deeply ingrained part of human culture and cuisine.
But here’s a startling truth that many of us overlook: the way we raise animals for food is contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections.
This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a global health crisis.
Antibiotics are used routinely in factory farming to prevent disease in animals and promote rapid growth.
In fact, much of this antibiotic use is considered unnecessary and even dangerous.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistance, making once-treatable human infections more difficult to combat.
In a world where we no longer raise animals for food, we could make huge strides in fighting antibiotic resistance, which currently kills over 700,000 people each year.
But, What About the Economics? Will Going Meat-Free Hurt Our Global Economy?
While the environmental and health benefits of a meat-free world are enticing, there’s a significant economic paradox that’s hard to ignore.
Let’s be clear: if the global demand for meat were to disappear overnight, the world’s economy would face massive upheaval.
In the influential 2006 UN report Livestock’s Long Shadow, it was revealed that the livestock industry makes up 1.4% of global GDP, with nearly 1.3 billion people relying on jobs related to animal agriculture.
Of those, 987 million are living in poverty, depending on the industry for their livelihoods.
This leaves us with an undeniable reality: a sudden global shift away from meat could devastate the lives of millions of people—especially those who are already economically vulnerable.
The real question becomes: How would we transition these people into other industries?
If the global meat industry were to shrink drastically, workers in farming, slaughterhouses, and meat processing plants would need to find new forms of employment.
But where would these new opportunities come from, and how quickly could the world adapt to support this massive shift in the workforce?
On top of that, there’s the issue of land use.
What happens to the millions of acres of farmland and pastures that were once dedicated to livestock production?
Could they be repurposed for plant-based food production?
Possibly.
However, growing non-seasonal crops in regions where they don’t naturally thrive would come at a significant cost.
The energy and environmental cost of transporting non-local fruits and vegetables around the globe could be just as harmful to the environment as raising livestock itself.
A Global Balance Between Consumption, Sustainability, and Economics
It’s easy to see why people are hesitant about embracing a totally meat-free world.
The potential for an economic collapse is real, especially for those whose livelihoods are tied to the meat industry.
But we also can’t ignore the environmental and health benefits that would come from significantly reducing our reliance on animal products.
The real solution, it seems, isn’t about wiping meat off the table entirely.
Instead, we need to focus on reducing meat consumption—especially in wealthy nations where meat-heavy diets are the norm.
Take, for example, plant-based meat alternatives that are rapidly gaining popularity.
In the past few years, innovations like the Impossible Burger—an entirely plant-based burger that bleeds like real meat—have begun to challenge the conventional idea of what a burger should be.
These products are appealing not only to vegans and vegetarians but also to meat lovers who are looking for more sustainable options without sacrificing taste or texture.
But is it realistic to think that a product like the Impossible Burger could ever replace the entire meat industry?
While the growing market for plant-based foods is promising, the shift would take decades to fully realize.
And even then, it’s clear that we can’t simply remove all animal products from the global food chain—but we can certainly drastically reduce the amount of meat we consume, especially if it means a more sustainable future for all.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
In the face of a rapidly growing population, we have no choice but to rethink how we produce and consume food.
While the idea of going meat-free might seem radical, it’s clear that we must change—not just for the environment, but for our own health and the health of future generations.
So, what’s the takeaway?
A world without meat might seem like a utopian dream.
But by embracing smarter, more sustainable food practices—and yes, reducing meat consumption—we can reduce pollution, improve health outcomes, and even revitalize the global economy in the process.
Will we give up meat entirely? No. But can we start eating smarter, more sustainably? Absolutely.
