People Eat Six Times More Chicken Than In 1961, According To The UN

According to a new UN report, the average person now consumes six times more chicken than they did in 1961, with pork consumption also doubling since the previous generation. The report, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, highlights a 300 percent increase in global meat supply over the last 60 years, leading to concerns over the sustainability of the current food system.

While the report acknowledges the negative impact of animal products on the environment, it falls short of promoting meat reduction for those who consume the most. Calls for reducing meat and dairy consumption, as well as replacing animal foods with sustainable plant-based options, have been made by experts as a way to mitigate the impact of the food system on climate change and human health.

As extreme heatwaves sweep various parts of the world, the unsustainable nature of the current food system, which heavily relies on animal agriculture, is becoming increasingly apparent. The climate crisis is attributed to animal agriculture as the single biggest contributor to rising global temperatures, prompting recommendations for dietary changes towards more plant-based options to ensure food system sustainability and mitigate the effects of climate change.