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Cutting Beef by Half Could Slash City Emissions

10/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Nature Climate Change study by University of Michigan and University of Minnesota researchers finds U.S. city meat consumption emits greenhouse gases comparable to powering homes.
Researchers analyzed 3,500 cities and found beef accounts for 73% of the carbon hoofprint, totaling 363 million tons annually.
Reducing beef consumption by half could cut emissions by 33%.
The findings urge urban residents to recognize the environmental impact of their diets.

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Story summary

A Nature Climate Change study by University of Michigan and University of Minnesota researchers finds U.S. city meat consumption emits greenhouse gases comparable to powering homes.
Researchers analyzed 3,500 cities and found beef accounts for 73% of the carbon hoofprint, totaling 363 million tons annually.
Reducing beef consumption by half could cut emissions by 33%.
The findings urge urban residents to recognize the environmental impact of their diets.