A groundbreaking study by Tulane University
and the University of Michigan published in Environmental
Research Letters found that meat, dairy, and egg consumption is responsible for
nearly 84 percent of food-related greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States.
and the University of Michigan published in Environmental
Research Letters found that meat, dairy, and egg consumption is responsible for
nearly 84 percent of food-related greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States.
Scientists analyzed the effects of more than
300 foods and the diets of 16,000 Americans. They found that only 20 percent of
Americans, those who eat the most animal products, make up 46 percent of
diet-related emissions overall on an average day.
300 foods and the diets of 16,000 Americans. They found that only 20 percent of
Americans, those who eat the most animal products, make up 46 percent of
diet-related emissions overall on an average day.
Plant-based foods, like fruits, vegetables,
cereals and grains, and nuts and seeds, make up a mere 3 percent of diet-related
emissions. Legumes were found to be the least harmful to the planet, with
pulses accounting for just 0.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
cereals and grains, and nuts and seeds, make up a mere 3 percent of diet-related
emissions. Legumes were found to be the least harmful to the planet, with
pulses accounting for just 0.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Reducing the impact of our diets—by eating
fewer calories and less animal-based foods—could achieve significant reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, said
Martin Heller, a researcher at the University of Michigan. “It’s climate
action that is accessible to everyone, because we all decide on a daily basis
what we eat.
fewer calories and less animal-based foods—could achieve significant reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, said
Martin Heller, a researcher at the University of Michigan. “It’s climate
action that is accessible to everyone, because we all decide on a daily basis
what we eat.
This is hardly the first time eating animal
products has been deemed harmful to the planet. Last year, the Alliance of World Scientists, a group of
15,000 scientists from 184 countries, concluded that humans must change their
behavior and switch to a plant-based diet to prevent environmental destruction.
products has been deemed harmful to the planet. Last year, the Alliance of World Scientists, a group of
15,000 scientists from 184 countries, concluded that humans must change their
behavior and switch to a plant-based diet to prevent environmental destruction.
Raising animals
for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars,
planes, and other forms of transportation combined. According to the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, carbon dioxide emissions from raising farmed animals make up
about 15 percent of global human-induced emissions, with beef and milk
production as the leading culprits. In fact, even without fossil fuels, we will exceed our 565-gigaton CO2e
limit by 2030.
for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars,
planes, and other forms of transportation combined. According to the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, carbon dioxide emissions from raising farmed animals make up
about 15 percent of global human-induced emissions, with beef and milk
production as the leading culprits. In fact, even without fossil fuels, we will exceed our 565-gigaton CO2e
limit by 2030.
Furthermore, simply by avoiding animal products, we can cut our carbon footprints in half. Keep in
mind that a pound of beef requires 13 percent more fossil fuel
and 15 times more water to produce than a pound of soy.
mind that a pound of beef requires 13 percent more fossil fuel
and 15 times more water to produce than a pound of soy.
There is no such thing as
“sustainable” meat, and plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy, and
eggs take a mere fraction of the resources to produce as their animal-based
counterparts. It’s time for anyone who cares about the future of our planet to
take action and ditch animal-based products altogether.
“sustainable” meat, and plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy, and
eggs take a mere fraction of the resources to produce as their animal-based
counterparts. It’s time for anyone who cares about the future of our planet to
take action and ditch animal-based products altogether.
But a vegan diet isn’t just good for the
planet—it also spares
countless animals a lifetime of misery at factory farms. Pigs, cows,
chickens, and other farmed animals suffer horribly. From birth to death, these
innocent animals are caught in a nightmare: crated and caged, cut and burned,
and brutally killed.
planet—it also spares
countless animals a lifetime of misery at factory farms. Pigs, cows,
chickens, and other farmed animals suffer horribly. From birth to death, these
innocent animals are caught in a nightmare: crated and caged, cut and burned,
and brutally killed.
So what are you waiting for? Join the millions
of people who are helping protect farmed animals and the planet by switching to
a vegan diet. Click here to get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas.
of people who are helping protect farmed animals and the planet by switching to
a vegan diet. Click here to get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas.
