This resource is designed as a flexible independent study module. It serves as an ideal homework assignment, a self-directed research task for classroom use, an emergency cover lesson, or a home-learning project.
Work through the tasks below to explore the debate, weigh the evidence, and decide where you stand.
Step 1: Read and Watch
- PowerPoint Presentation: Open the above presentation to get an overview of the key concepts and environmental impacts.
- Video Clip: Watch the video clip on eating less meat (Watch here).
- The Day Article: Read the attached resource to explore the report’s warnings about our global diet.
4. Create a Table
Create a table of all the arguments for and against eating less meat
5. Research
Research the meat industry and answer the following questions:
- What percentage of all greenhouse gases are caused by the meat industry?
- What other environmental damages are caused by the meat industry?
- Find out which nations or continents waste the most food, and list them with their percentage of waste.
6. Debate
“I’m what’s known as a ‘flexitarian’. This means I eat far less meat than most – in my case, I eat one meal with red meat in a week and my other meals are mostly plant or vegetable based. I think it would be useful if the government explained the benefits of this to the public. If the entire world did this, the reduction in carbon emissions would be massive!”
“The government are already telling us that we can’t use single-use plastics and they’re forcing companies to ditch them. I feel it might be a step too far to demand that we change our diet to impact the environment too. Why not impose sanctions, fines and restrictions on large international companies that cause damage to the environment instead?”
What do you think? Should we eat less meat to save the environment?
7. Create
- Answer the Big Question: Should we eat less meat to save the environment?
- Choose how to present your final argument and conclusion. Options include:
- A persuasive speech or a formal letter.
- An informational poster or a digital mind map.
- A script for a short video or social media clip breaking down both sides of the argument.
- A written piece, rap, or a mock social media feed tracking the environmental debate.
Make sure your final piece weighs up the pros and cons and clearly states your personal conclusion.