The behavioral challenge that I choose is to not consume any red meat for the next two weeks. The reason why I picked this challenge verses all the other ones is because this one will require the most effort and time. Using reusable water bottles, reducing shower time and turning all electronic devices is much simpler than making time to plan out meals every day and avoiding a specific food that I am used to always eating every day. This means that I will have to look for alternative meals and recipes that do not have meat since a lot of the things that I know how to cook contain red meat. At home my family has red meat for dinner at least 4 days a week so that means I will have to avoid it and cook my self something else for dinner. Also my favorite foods when I go out to eat are always the red meat options so it will be difficult changing it up and trying out other food options at my favorite places to eat. Overall the biggest challenge will be the thought of not being able to have red meat. Right now it doesn’t seem as challenging as I think it will be but in reality I think I will be craving red meat half halfway down this challenge and will want to give up.
The consumption of meat has a drastic effect in our environment. There are many ways that the consumption of red meat affects our environment for example, when land is used to raise animals instead of crops, precious water and soil are lost. Another thing that occurs is that many trees are cut down to make land for grazing or factory-farm sheds, and untreated animal waste pollutes rivers and streams. The production, processing and distribution of meat require huge outlays of pesticides, fertilizer, fuel, feed and water. That being said, greenhouse gases, manure and a range of toxic chemicals are released into our air and water. It is interesting how long and extreme the consequences of our meat consumption habits are, and how the majority of our society doesn’t question the process of meat production. Ultimately, we need better policies and stronger regulations to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock production, but I feel like if we all do our part and change our diets slightly that would also make a big change too. It is also to our benefit reducing the consumption of red meat. Eating red meat is not necessarily good for our health and has been linked with heart disease and obesity. So not giving up red meat instead cutting down the consumption would make a big difference in our environment. For the two weeks that I do the challenge I plan on not consuming any red meat, however when I am done with the two weeks I will take what I learned from this and try to reduce my consumption from then on and will pass on what I learn to my family.