IMAGINE that you have to pay a tax on your steak. The proposal comes from the “Ethics Committee” of Denmark: ”The meat is one of the major reason for the ‘Global Warming’ and we have an ethical duty to stop it”. A hateful tax that would be initially applied only to the red meat (beef), or maybe very soon also to pork meat, just to reduce energy consumption, and in favor, possibly, of the chicken meat consumption. Considering that the breeding of cattle covers about 10% of global emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as the consumption of 43,000 liters of water for every kilogram of meat on our tables, the tax can only be considered a push towards more sustainable behaviors and an incentive to “vegan” lifestyle.
The measure was voted for by 14 out of 17 councilors, convinced that we must do something concrete to turn back the trend. “The lifestyle of Denmark is still far from the model of sustainability that is required from us if we want to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreements – believe the Danes advisers – then we are called to act now, starting with food: less meat, more vegan”.
Less satisfied the farmers and the “Food Council” that of the measure catch a glimpse only of the economic impact, compared to a low (if not ridiculous) positive effect on the environment. Whilst the “Ethics Council” has no doubts: cut the consumption of red meat can only be a healthy change of habits for all, a new vegan lifestyle that will soon be normal for many of us.
