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

Veronica Garcia Donoso (), Mayumi C. M. Hirye, Christiane Gerwenat and Christa Reicher
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Veronica Garcia Donoso: Architecture and Urbanism Course, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Cachoeira do Sul 96503-205, Brazil
Mayumi C. M. Hirye: Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-15

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.

Keywords: Amazon; land use change; pasture; deforestation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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