I went to London recently to hear a lecture on a subject that is quite taboo in Ireland. It is the alien concept of reducing the consumption of meat including poultry and Dairy. The chap giving the lecture is a heavy hitter in the scientific community and his opinions have to be taken seriously. Dr Rajendra Pachauri is Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and his message was very simple "Eat less Meat". He was speaking on his own behalf, and he made it clear his views were not shared by members of the IPCC panel but none the less there is whole scale approval for his comments. His comments are the most controversial advice to come from any member of the IPCC panel on how individuals can help tackle global warning.

The lecture was hosted by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). As Animal Welfare / Rights organisations go CIWF are moderates. The organisation was established by a farmer who did not want to go in to the intensive farming of animals because of the misery it caused. The reality is many Irish farmers hold this view but yet vent bile at the very mention of Compassion in World Farming. The reason the subject of reducing meat production in Ireland is so unapproachable is the sheer volume of meat and dairy this country exports. Any notion of doing something to affect that is tantamount to treason. However, the reality is as Dr Pachauri said, "In terms of immediacy of action and the feasibility of bringing about reductions in a short period of time, it clearly is the most attractive opportunity. Give up meat for one day [a week], and decrease it from there".

Dr Pachauri is not alone in his call for reducing meat consumption. Jonathon Porritt, at the Forum for the Future, Chairman of UK Sustainable Development Commission stated that "The world continues to fall gradually to pieces around us as some of the gravest threats to the long term sustainability of humankind remain all but ignored. I would put the excessive consumption of meat right up there in that category. And though I understand only too well why it is that politicians continue to ignore this particular aspect of food and farming today, I despair at their selective blindness."

The position of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that meat production accounts for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. These are generated during the production of animal feeds, for example, while ruminants, particularly cows, emit methane, which is 23 times more effective as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide. The agency has also warned that meat consumption is set to double by the middle of the century.

This doubling of meat consumption will take place in the emerging economies of India and China where people are eating meat two or three times a week and it was here that the "AHHH" moment occurred. The rich countries will have to reduce their consumption of meat to allow upward consumption in developing countries.

Anyone who wants to see an equal world that can continue in a sustainable manner will have to realise this. It may not be a very sexy thing to do but giving up meat for a day each week will do more to bring about social justice and a fair society globally than all of the screaming liberals who over consume on meat.

In the Words of Dr Pachauri who quoted Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world"