Should We Eat Meat?: Evolution and Consequences of Modern Carnivory

Should We Eat Meat?: Evolution and Consequences of Modern Carnivory by Vaclav Smil

This is a very thorough analysis of the costs and benefits of meat consumption. The author tries to take a balanced approach to looking at meat. There is benefit in consumption. People tend to increase meat consumption as they gain economically. There are a healthy vegetarians as well as healthy meat eaters. 

The author provides numerous citations as he investigates the energy and land use needed to provide meat. There is also analysis of the welfare of animals and the process of meat consumption. There are costs and benefits of the various systems. Smaller animals tend to produce meat faster than larger animals. Crop use for animals requires significant energy inputs. There are also land concerns - especially with free ranging animals.

In conclusion, he advocates a reduction in meat consumption. Rich countries are already at their saturation point. It is time to move towards a less environmentally impacting form of food consumption. This would be together with a more humane treatment of animals. Meat may still play reduced role in the diet.