Running a Ranch in Hawaii with Daughters
"What About Greenhouse Gases?" Criticism Also Raised
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, faced criticism after posting a photo of himself eating steak, claiming to raise "world-class" cattle in Hawaii. Critics said this behavior accelerates global warming without regard for the environment.
According to the UK Guardian and others, on the 10th (local time), Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook account, "I started raising cattle on a ranch in Oahu, Hawaii. My goal is to produce the highest quality beef in the world," along with a photo of him eating steak.
He added, "These cattle are Wagyu and Angus, fed macadamia nuts and beer," and explained, "Since each cow consumes 5,000 to 10,000 pounds (about 2,300 kg to 4,500 kg) of food, a lot of macadamia trees are needed."
According to related investigations, Zuckerberg's farm, where cattle are raised on macadamia nuts and beer, is estimated to be worth $100 million (about 130 billion KRW), equipped with underground bunkers and energy facilities. It is reported that he invested $170 million (about 220 billion KRW) to purchase 1,400 acres (about 5.7 km²) of land.
This self-sufficient space is known to have water tanks and pump systems, and reports say that food is already being produced on the farm and ranch within the complex.
Environmental groups sharply criticized Zuckerberg after he posted this. Mitch Jones, Policy Director of the environmental group Food & Water Watch, said, "Raising cattle on macadamia nuts and beer, which require a lot of water to cultivate, is a billionaire's strange side business," and pointed out, "True agricultural reform is needed to address the realities of food system inequality and global warming."
Jones criticized, "We need to enhance the survival ability of small and medium-sized farms that supply food not only to wealthy celebrities but to everyone." Additionally, writer and journalist Andrew Greenberg mocked Zuckerberg on Meta's rival platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Proud of you. You have achieved your dream of putting food in your mouth in a way that causes the greatest possible climate change for humans."
Beef consumption and cattle farming have often been cited as major causes of deforestation, water pollution, and global warming. Producing 1 kg of beef emits about 27 kg of carbon dioxide. In contrast, grains like rice emit about 2.5 kg of carbon dioxide to produce 1 kg. Meat production emits more than 20 times the carbon dioxide compared to grain production.
Also, methane emitted by cattle burping is known to have 28 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a fully grown cow emits 500 liters of methane per day, accounting for about 3.7% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Earlier, renowned American media expert Douglas Rushkoff criticized Mark Zuckerberg's underground bunker. He said, "(Zuckerberg) ruined governments and society, and now he is building a fortress in Hawaii." In his book Survival of the Richest, Rushkoff criticized the mindset that "if you have enough money and technology, the wealthy can live like gods and transcend the disasters that befall everyone else."
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