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Why Meat Is the Best Worst Thing in the World

Provided by: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This video outlines the devastating environmental and climate impacts of animal agriculture.
The video explores animal welfare, factory farms, the problem with organic farming, and the philosophy of humans raising and slaughtering billions of animals every year.
The video offers several solutions, including reducing meat consumption, buying from responsible producers, eating more chicken and pigs instead of cows, reducing food waste, and buying lab-produced meat.

Subjects: Biology, Health

Authors: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

Beautiful animations, music, and narration make this easy to follow and understand.
The video stresses that there is no connection between morality and what you choose to eat, which is nice to eliminate guilt for students who cannot control what meals are made at home.

Prerequisites

Students should understand climate change.
Animal agriculture has a huge impact on carbon emissions, land use, deforestation, and species extinction. It may be difficult for students to connect these broad and abstract issues.
The meatpacking industry does tremendous harm to workers. You can learn more about the chicken industry in this video.
Certified organic farms do follow a long list of environmental regulations that protect the environment and reduce emissions, along with animal welfare rules that can be accessed on the USDA website.

Differentiation & Implementation

Social studies or economics students could discuss the sustainability of animal agriculture after watching this video and how it impacts human culture and food businesses.
This video can be used as a catalyst for students to advocate for reduced meat consumption in their schools. Students could advocate for Meatless Mondays (or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays too!)
Students could watch this video or this video, both of which outline how eating more plants helps fight climate change.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.