5 Ways Eating Plant-Based Can Help Save Our World
Environment
The planet needs us now more than ever - here's how diet and the foods we eat can help fight the climate emergency.
These past few weeks have been some of planet Earth’s worst when it comes to global warming. Alongside record-breaking temperatures, sea ice loss and marine heatwaves are ramping up. Experts say human activity is largely to blame, and climate action is needed now more than ever.
“The picture is clear. We need a plant-based food system to feed the world, free up space for wildlife, and all start thriving again.”
The answer may lie, in part, with our food system. Researchers behind a newly published study, the most comprehensive of its kind, found that the diets people follow can have a drastic impact on their environmental footprint. Overall, diets heavy in meat were the most damaging to the planet, while vegan eating was considered most sustainable.
Global Heating Reaches New Extremes
July 4 was likely the hottest day on Earth in at least 100,000 years, reports the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), breaking a record set the day before. This was preceded by the hottest recorded month of June, with July expected to be the single hottest month on record. This trend is slated to continue, increasing the likelihood of heat-related deaths, wildfires, and extreme weather events.
Global sea surface temperatures were also hotter than any other June on record, particularly alarming in the North Atlantic region due to “unprecedented” sea surface temperatures. This region’s warming is linked to more hurricanes and tropical cyclones, said Dr. Omar Baddour, chief of climate monitoring at WMO.
Antarctic sea ice reached a “record-smashing low” in recent weeks. Compared to the 1981-2010 average, an area of ice roughly 10 times the size of the UK is missing. “This is nothing like anything we’ve seen before in July,” Dr. Caroline Holmes at the British Antarctic Survey tells the BBC. Ice loss contributes to rising sea levels, flooding, and habitat destruction, interfering with the Earth’s ability to regulate its own temperature.
“We are in uncharted territory,” WMO’s director of climate services Christopher Hewitt said. “And we can expect more records to fall as El Niño develops further, extending these impacts into 2024.”
New Research on the Environmental Impact of Diet
An eye-opening new study into the environmental impact of food has also been making headlines, underscoring the sustainability benefits of a vegan diet. Published in Nature Food on July 20, the study analyzed the eating habits of 55,000 people in the UK, alongside data from more than 38,000 farms in 119 countries. Researchers found that the environmental footprint of a vegan was around one-third lower than that of a meat-eater.
“Our dietary choices have a big impact on the planet. Cutting down the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can make a big difference to your dietary footprint,” commented lead author Peter Scarborough, professor of population health at Oxford.
1. Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are naturally present in Earth’s atmosphere, crucial for maintaining a temperature we can exist in. However, human-caused emissions are disrupting the planet’s natural processes, significantly increasing GHGs like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide. Transportation, electricity, and fast fashion all contribute, but food emissions alone are set to heat the planet beyond the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
Animal-based food production is responsible for nearly double the amount of global GHG emissions compared to plant-based foods (57 percent and 29 percent respectively). Compared to high-meat diets, people on a vegan diet are responsible for 75 percent fewer emissions and produce 93 percent less methane, which has a Global Warming Potential more than 80 times greater than that of CO2.
2. Deforestation and Land Use
Animal products use approximately 83 percent of the world’s farmland while only providing 37 percent of our protein and 18 percent of our calories. Beef production alone has led to the destruction of 800 million trees in the Amazon rainforest over six years. This contributes to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, exacerbating the climate crisis.
A plant-based diet could reduce global land use for agriculture by 75 percent. Most of the land currently used for growing livestock feed crops could be repurposed, allowing ecosystems to recover and reducing pressure on natural habitats.
3. Water Usage
The food system is responsible for 70 percent of the world’s freshwater use and 78 percent of freshwater pollution. Raising and sustaining 92 billion land animals for food annually consumes vast amounts of water, including the water needed to grow their feed crops. Meanwhile, approximately two billion humans lack access to safe drinking water.
A plant-based diet could more than halve a person’s food-related water footprint. Producing plant-based foods generally requires significantly less water than animal-based products.
4. Biodiversity and Species Loss
Human activity places substantial pressure on biodiversity, leading to what researchers describe as the “sixth extinction.” Farmed animals account for 60 percent of all mammal species by mass, while wild mammals make up just four percent. Similarly, 57 percent of all bird species by mass are farmed chickens.
A shift towards a plant-based food system could reduce biodiversity loss by 66 percent. Protecting biodiversity is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and balancing the planet’s natural processes.
5. Ocean Dead Zones
Dead zones in the planet’s oceans and lakes are increasing due to nutrient pollution, primarily from agriculture. Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus enter bodies of water, stimulating algal growth and suffocating marine life. Agriculture is responsible for nearly 80 percent of freshwater pollution, largely due to animal manure and fertilizer.
Plastic pollution is another critical issue, with 70 percent of macroplastics floating on the ocean surface being fishing-related. A plant-based diet can reduce reliance on harmful agricultural practices, mitigating nutrient pollution and protecting marine ecosystems.
Conclusion
A growing wealth of research indicates the most environmentally friendly diet is a fully vegan one. Animal agriculture is a leading driver of deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and water use, and is linked to significant emission output. Foods with low environmental impact include mushrooms, leafy greens, seaweed, legumes, broccoli, cabbage, figs, carrots, potatoes, and whole grains.
Locally grown, in-season, pesticide-free plant foods tend to have the lowest environmental impact. Consider growing some produce at home to make your plate even more sustainable.
“Animal agriculture is the most destructive human pressure on Earth, driving a mass extinction of animal and plant species,” says environmental data scientist Nicholas Carter. “The picture is clear. We need a plant-based food system to feed the world, free up space for wildlife, and all start thriving again.”
Sources
BBC: "Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches Record Low"
Guardian: "Amazon Deforestation by Beef Producers"
Nature Food: "Environmental Footprint of Diets"
Plant Based News: "Impact of Plant-Based Diets on the Environment"
World Meteorological Organization: "Global Heating Records and Sea Surface Temperatures"
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General Resources
Books:
Dominion: The Power of Animals in Nature and in Our Imagination by Matthew Scully
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Billion Hungry Mouths: Feeding the World Without Consuming the Planet by Colin Tudge
Websites and organizations:
Documentaries:
Articles:
"The Case for Animal Rights" by Tom Regan
‘‘Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism’’ by Melanie Joy
‘‘Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach’’ by Gary L. Francione
‘‘Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals’’ by Christine Korsgaard
Seeds of Compassion: Finding Jesus Christ in a Vegan World by Michael Corthell
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The information on this vegan/plant-based blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their situation. The blog owner is not responsible for any reliance on the information herein.