While in developing countries consumption of plant and animal proteins are comparable, in the most developed countries, the consumption of meat is excessive.
This represents an enormous cost for the environment in terms of nitrogen and energy yields, water consumption and therefore global warming and pollution.
As an illustration of its impact on sustainable development, it is necessary to feed four cows for one year to produce a ton of milk protein. The same amount of protein is obtained by farming 0.8 hectare of peas.
kg of proteins produced / ha
Vegetables
Grains
Milk
Beef
1250
1000
200
170