It's nice to see some measured conversation and sanity regarding comparisons of plant-based meat to animal-based (especially red) meat. But still, I don't know why we're speculating on environmental impacts when we already have the data. It's far better! 🧵 www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/c... - ThreadSky

matthewhayek.bsky.social • 121 days ago

It's nice to see some measured conversation and sanity regarding comparisons of plant-based meat to animal-based (especially red) meat. But still, I don't know why we're speculating on environmental impacts when we already have the data. It's far better! 🧵 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/climate/plant-based-meat-processed-foods.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pk4.V0V4.2BD6FVV81F0e

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detoxthegop.bsky.social•121 days ago

Unless one takes bites straight from a cow's butt, when one buys market meat, to various degrees, it's already processed food. There needs t/b a better definition, quality &/or quantity, of what healthy & unhealthy means.

nonviolence.bsky.social•121 days ago

It's more than data imo. It's math. 2 is more than 1. 1 is less than 2.

Meet the 10% rule
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/energy-flow-and-10-percent-rule/2nd-grade/

heatherrandell.bsky.social•121 days ago

Man, this article is depressing. I was so optimistic and assumed the arc of meat eating would bend in its direction, but it sounds like plant-based meat has suffered from the same right wing spin as most every other good thing :(

farawaywatcher.bsky.social•121 days ago

I haven’t eaten meat for 30 years BUT I am anti-process where I can be to save energy and GHGE. My choices make very small savings BUT if we ALL do our bit - bingo.

katlovelandvo.bsky.social•120 days ago

Just use tofu and cook more southeast Asian and Asian food.

morgalyn.bsky.social•121 days ago

It's almost like there's more than one axis on which people make decisions about food. Emissions is one of many. Factory foodstuff with long ingredient labels including things people wouldn't cook with at home is having a moment (overdue) in the collective conversation about the food supply. It's ok

matthewhayek.bsky.social•121 days ago

As @jandutkiewicz.bsky.social and I wrote, the data is already in, and plant-based meats beat out animal-based counterparts, especially when it's red meat, every single time. This is even when you account for processing. Slaughter requires energy too, after all https://www.vox.com/22787178/beyond-impossible-plant-based-vegetarian-meat-climate-environmental-impact-sustainability

nonviolence.bsky.social•121 days ago

Back in 2018 the UN called meat the world's most urgent problem.
https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/news-and-stories/tackling-worlds-most-urgent-problem-meat

vancitymark.bsky.social•121 days ago

Better for the planet, maybe, but what about the plant ? /s

sorry.

pynaple.bsky.social•121 days ago

I'd just like it if we called it Plant Protein instead of trying to pretend it's meat. Don't give me tofu pretending it's meat, give me some spicy agadashi tofu that's confident in it's vegetation.

matthewhayek.bsky.social•121 days ago

Agadashi tofu does not play the same role. It has a completely different flavor profile and texture. It's nice to have something that's chewy, beefy, and juicy. They have entirely different culinary purposes; the latter lets you know how what like-for-like applications it can be used in.

pynaple.bsky.social•121 days ago

I agree, which is exactly why I don't want plants to replace meat. Maybe that means I get to eat way less meat, but that's fine. I'd prefer to eat food that's honest, not trying to pretend to be something else!

matthewhayek.bsky.social•121 days ago

We don't need to speculate & predict. Crystal balls aren't needed to know that keeping cattle alive for 18+ months cannot compare to simply heating & extruding some crop proteins and combining them with plant fats and a few natural flavors to make their chew and taste more satisfying 🔮

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