Population Health

July 18, 2018

Investigating environmental impacts of producing different types of animal protein

Image of seafood caught in the wildNew research from the University of Washington College of the Environment offers what is likely the most comprehensive look at the environmental impacts of different types of animal protein production.

The study assessed the environmental costs of producing livestock, farmed seafood and wild-caught fish.

While not definitive, researchers found that, in general, industrial beef production and farmed catfish are the most taxing on the environment, while small, wild-caught fish and farmed mollusks like oysters, mussels and scallops have the lowest environmental impact.

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