In our overly politicized culture, award shows have been places for the rich and famous to tell people what they should believe about everything from morality to ethics.

The 2020 Golden Globes did not disappoint. The Foreign Press Association, which governs the awards ceremony, announced their menu for the dinner would be vegan in an effort to make a statement about the impact animal agriculture has on the climate.

Approximately 1,300 guests participate in the dining experience at the Golden Globes. So, what is the real impact of serving a 3-ounce portion of beef to those 1,300 people?

That works out to be approximately 243 pounds of beef, or less than a single cow, to serve the assembled guests. If a single cow produces approximately 100 kg of methane in a year, that is the equivalent of approximately 2.1 metric tons of CO2. Comparatively, a one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles on a commercial airline produces approximately 0.72 metric tons of CO2 per passenger or approximately 936 metric tons of CO2 for all 1,300 diners at the Golden Globes. If just three of the 1,300 celebrities flew across the country, it completely eliminated the CO2 reduction from the beet soup, fake scallops, and “passion crispy.”

In the opening monologue delivered by Ricky Gervais, the comedian urged Hollywood to mind its own business when it comes to the moorings of real life.

“No one cares about movies anymore,” Gervais said. “If you do win an award tonight, don’t make it a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the general public about anything. You know nothing about the real world.”

Livestock production is a large part of the Washington state economy. The discussion of greenhouse gases both locally and nationally has discarded facts in favor of fear borne from a study that was debunked by its own authors. Yet the ethos from it has persisted.

The facts from the EPA are that agricultural production in the United States contributes just 9 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the country, with just 3.9 percent coming from livestock. And researchers have long noted that even if the entire U.S. were to give up meat, it would not have a significant effect on overall emissions. 

Additionally, removing meat from the food chain puts people in developing countries in a tough spot. Meat is more nutrient-dense than plant-based diets and in places where food security, water availability, and soil content are of concern, raising livestock provides a much-needed food source.

As society moves farther and farther from the farm and people are more fearful of where their food comes from, it is increasingly important for agriculture to make its voice heard in a dignified way. 

Why do the Golden Globes matter in Washington? Because the 9,000 or so cattle ranches in our state contribute approximately 29 million head of cattle to the overall economy to the tune of $5.6 billion.

There is risk from climate change. However, giving up meat in favor of a plant-based diet, either at an awards show or on a more immediate level, is not going to change the tide. If one is going to choose a plant-based diet it should be a personal choice, not an awards-show political statement.