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Amazon Deforestation and Global Meat Consumption Trends: An Assessment of Land Use Change and Market Data from Rondônia That Shows Why We Should Consider Changing Our Diets

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  • Veronica Garcia Donoso

    (Architecture and Urbanism Course, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Cachoeira do Sul 96503-205, Brazil
    Georg Forster Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 53173 Bonn, Germany)

  • Mayumi C. M. Hirye

    (Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
    Quapá Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil)

  • Christiane Gerwenat

    (Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Christa Reicher

    (Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

This paper seeks to elucidate the interrelationship between global meat consumption and deforestation in the Amazon region. To this end, empirical research is conducted to investigate land use changes in Rondônia and the expansion of pasture areas and beef production. Brazil is one of the largest beef producers in the world, with products destined for local and global markets. Based on bibliographical research, the paper analyzes maps of land use change between 1985 and 2021, using Landsat satellite imagery and the MapBiomas methodology for Landsat mosaic and classification. The research shows that beef from Rondônia is primarily purchased and consumed in Brazil, but it is also bought and sold on the international market. Landsat imagery analysis shows the predominance of forest conversion to pasture in Rondônia. The results show that deforestation in the Amazon is directly linked to the growth of cattle ranching. Land use change from native forest to pasture for beef cattle production is a reality in the Brazilian Amazon, especially in Rondônia. It suggests the urgent need for more conscious consumption and production practices as well as ethical and sustainable eating habits.

Suggested Citation

  • Veronica Garcia Donoso & Mayumi C. M. Hirye & Christiane Gerwenat & Christa Reicher, 2024. "Amazon Deforestation and Global Meat Consumption Trends: An Assessment of Land Use Change and Market Data from Rondônia That Shows Why We Should Consider Changing Our Diets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:11:p:4526-:d:1402527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yasmin Gomes Casagranda & Joanna Wiśniewska-Paluszak & Grzegorz Paluszak & Giana de Vargas Mores & Leila Dal Moro & Guilherme Cunha Malafaia & Denise Barros de Azevedo & Debin Zhang, 2023. "Emergent Research Themes on Sustainability in the Beef Cattle Industry in Brazil: An Integrative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Florian Humpenöder & Benjamin Leon Bodirsky & Isabelle Weindl & Hermann Lotze-Campen & Tomas Linder & Alexander Popp, 2022. "Projected environmental benefits of replacing beef with microbial protein," Nature, Nature, vol. 605(7908), pages 90-96, May.
    3. Raizza Miranda & Markus Schwaninger & Alvimar Lucena & Ygor Logullo & Mischel Carmen N. Belderrain & Tereza C. M. B. Carvalho & Renato C. Sato, 2023. "Sustainable Amazon: A Systemic Inquiry with Native Populations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, May.
    4. Min, Shi & Bai, Junfei & Seale, James L. Jr. & Wahl, Thomas, 2015. "Demographics, Societal Aging, and Meat Consumption in China," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212715, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Luana Molossi & Aaron Kinyu Hoshide & Daniel Carneiro de Abreu & Ronaldo Alves de Oliveira, 2023. "Agricultural Support and Public Policies Improving Sustainability in Brazil’s Beef Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
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