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# Not all meat is created equal (PR)
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/not_all_meat_is_created_equal_0718110941/
- Published: 2011-07-18T10:38:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:17:27.000Z
- Description: EWG president Ken Cook writes that most Americans, especially children, eat far more meat than vegetables, and points readers to the group's Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health. He notes uneaten meat accounts for more than 20 percent of meat's greenhouse gas emissions.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

*The single most important thing any of us can do to shrink the environmental footprint of our eating is to cut back on our meat eating -- doing so has a bigger impact than eating local or organic.*

**Michael Pollan**  
Author and food activist

Dear Readers,

Did you know that most Americans -- especially kids -- consume much more meat than vegetables? Or that young children eat more than three times the recommended amount of protein, mostly from meat?

EWG has examined the impact of Americans' eating habits on health and the environment. We want to share our eye-opening results with you.

[**Not all meat is created equal. Check out our Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health to see for yourself.**](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FVwcMKXddZa%2BS15Vuf%2Fr4hY1rQvvKE1P&ref=foodconsumer.org)

We've assembled our findings so they're easy to read and share, along with other great resources and information. To sum up:

- Meat in moderation can be a good source of complete protein as well as iron, but that's not the whole story.[**Check out the guide to see how different food choices affect the environment.**](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=jihd95wL0RtHUVhZhGdQU53xUkX1gFEL&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- Some meats increase your exposure to toxic chemicals and are linked to health problems. [**Learn what to look for and what to avoid when choosing meat for your family.**](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=SS1jq90do7JxeSkzkbvvKhY1rQvvKE1P&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- Waste less meat. Buy right-sized portions and eat what you buy. On average, uneaten meat accounts for more than 20 percent of meat's greenhouse gas emissions. [**See other great tips for healthier, greener eating.**](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ReDoY%2BlRKFnfYTmrk2ChhhY1rQvvKE1P&ref=foodconsumer.org)

I hope you'll stay tuned. We'll be sending you more information and resources!

Sincerely,

Ken Cook  
President, Environmental Working Group