Final answer:
While industrialized meat production has environmental and nutritional drawbacks, such as pollution and loss of nutrients, it also enabled widespread sustenance through mass production and the use of otherwise non-arable land.
Step-by-step explanation:
Industrialized meat production has faced significant criticism for its harmful environmental consequences, yet there are nuances that often go unexamined. Among the positive consequences is that industrial farming has enabled the mass production of food which provides essential calories necessary for survival. In some historical contexts, such as urban populations in the 19th century, processed foods offered sustenance that was both necessary and relatively accessible.
However, it is important to consider that current industrialized meat production practices have led to a decline in the nutritional value of foods, impacting essential nutrient levels present in various types of animal protein. Yet, there are arguments stating that some animal-based food production takes place on land unfit for other agricultural purposes, thus providing nutrients from areas that would otherwise be agriculturally unproductive.
In summary, while there are significant environmental and health concerns stemming from large-scale meat production, such as pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the inefficient use of crops, it is also recognized that this form of agriculture has been able to support a large population with the necessary calories for survival and it utilizes land that might not be suitable for other forms of agriculture.