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I just got an offer for a job facilitating broad-based economic growth in developing countries. Whether I take the job or another one depends on the answer to the following question: to what degree does global development increase meat consumption? Would, say, a yearly donation of $5,000 directed to Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) "obviously" offset the increase in meat consumption from taking this job, or should I be more uncertain as to whether the net impact on animals is positive or negative? 

My understanding is that economic growth would lead to a predictable short-term increase in the demand for meat, thereby increasing the total number of animals in factory farms. However, in the long-term, accelerating economic development might lead to less demand for meat compared to the counterfactual by lowering the birth rate before the population grows.

I'm not sure how to quantify these short- and long-term factors. In my job decision, I do not wish to weigh the benefits to humans with the consequences toward animals; I'd like to help both humans and animals if I can!

I'm most interested in whether you think a donation to ACE would clearly outweigh the downsides to animals or not, and why.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Note you can also donate to Screwworm Free Future for the chance at helping to avoid extreme suffering for 30+million animals per year.

It’s a more speculative & risky donation but if one thinks their marginal dollars have a chance to speed up elimination by even 2-3 years then it is like 100 animals avoiding extreme suffering for every $1 donated.

https://www.every.org/screwworm-free-future 


The potential effectiveness of such donations may put you over the threshold of making the job worth it.

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