Cheap Meat Could Cost the Earth?

One of the conclusions of a Chatham House think-tank report (supported by the UN Environment Programme) is that we humans need to move quickly to a more plant-based diet (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/03/plant-based-diets-crucial-to-saving-global-wildlife-says-report). The report notes that livestock (cows, pigs, sheep et cetera) have, by far, the biggest impact on the environment. It notes the vicious circle involved in cheap meat production. There is a constant drive to lower costs, to increase demand and, to keep things cheap, by tolerating low standards and high wastage. The report suggests that things will only change, if meat becomes a relatively minor (and more expensive) item in our diets. This would drive major beneficial changes in agricultural practice. As it stands, agriculture is the main threat to almost 90% of the 28,000 species, known to be at early risk of extinction (so it threatens biodiversity). Agriculture also currently takes up too much of the planet. And 80% of global farmland, is currently used to raise animals. The negative impact of animal-dominated agriculture on climate change/ pollution and the health benefits of eating more plants, are well documented. Farming will, however, only change if people's diets change first (It's the economy, stupid!).