There are many reasons to adopt a plant-based diet, and caring for the environment is one of them. Avoiding meat and dairy may be the most effective way individuals like you can help save the planet. The meat industry plays a huge role in climate change, land use, and carbon emissions. While many of us think of SUV’s has a threat to Mother Earth, the research points to a bigger culprit: Meat, Dairy, and Pork producers.
Livestock’s Effect on Greenhouse Gases
Each year, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change meets in Paris, France to tackle the problem of climate change. This Paris Climate Accord includes 1300 delegates from 195 State Parties. Countries from Peru to Japan meet with the sole focus of reducing the human destruction of this Easrth so that on a planet can stay viable.
Many of the topics addressed involve government policy and subsidies, themes that can seem far away from our dinner tables. Yet, the science shows that our dinner tables can play a big role in the future of this planet.
The cattle and dairy industry is responsible for about 12-17% of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This comes from the methane produced by livestock waste, nitrous oxide released, transportation, and the tons of manure and fertilizer used on cattle feed. The hormones and antibiotics used in dairy farming runs off into the water, creating toxic environments that kill sea life and destroy coral reefs.
Livestock Effects on Farmland, Water, and Natural Resources
More than just the animals themselves, an enormous amount of land and natural resources are needed to raise livestock. 83% of farmland is devoted solely to producing livestock. Most of that land is used to grow feed and house those animals. In turn, those animals only provide 18% of calories
On top of land use, livestock requires a lot of water. It takes almost 1800 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef. Pork requires 576 gallons. A lot of that water goes into the soybeans and corn that these animals eat. In turn, it only takes about 34 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of potatoes.
Many of us might not think about fresh water as a limited resource in the United States. We turn on the faucet, take long showers, and use high-capacity laundry machines. However, water availability is starting to affect 30 million Americans where supply is unable to meet demand. Around the globe, the problem is more dire. Accordinig to the UN, approximately 10% of the global population – around 720 million people – lived in countries with high and critical water stress levels in 2021. By 2050, three out of four people worldwide could face drought impacts. Current drought costs already exceed $307 billion annually.
This clean water shortage most greatly impacts the most marginalized communities: people in poverty and women and girls whose daily tasks involve clean water collection.
Meat Consumption Effects on Developing Countries
It may be easy for us to forget these effects, living in the United States. In the US, we rarely see the meat that we will eat. Even the grass-fed beef at our local farmers market is far from our homes.
Yet, this has a huge impact in parts of the world where resources are limited and there are battles fought for more land and more water.
In Eastern Asia, the Livestock Revolution means meat, poultry, and pork consumption will continue to grow. While production increase might help some farmers, the effects on the environment are worrisome. Land is converted to grow the cereal crops that feed livestock. Precious water is diverted to feed these animals.
In Latin America, ranchers have bought into the high price of cattle. Massive deforestation has turned about 70% of the Amazon into cow pastures.
Effects of the Meat Industry on Extinction and Bio-Diversity
As more countries set aside land for livestock, they are stripping away the habitats of species who live there. In turn, this leads to extinction and a loss of biodiversity. By 2050, it’s predicted that countries with the greatest diversity of plants and animals will transform much of their land to produce livestock. In fact, 30-50% of that land will likely be converted for livestock use.
This means that we will lose many of the unique plants and animals that populate the planet. As we tear down forests to make room for cattle, we tear down the homes of countless flora and fauna. We lose diversity for the sake of beef.
How Eating One Plant-Based Meal a Day Can Help
Eating just one plant-based meal a day can have a huge effect on saving the planet. If we all cut meat for just one day, we would have the impact of taking 274 million cars off the road. Swapping out one pound of beef for a plant-based substitute like “Beefy Crumbles” would save about 2,000 gallons of water.
The One Meal a Day movement, founded by Suzy Amis Cameron, encourages individuals to have one entirely plant-based meal a day. Another popular Meat-free movement, founded by Sir Paul McCartney, is Meatless Mondays. Just one day a week is doable for anyone. If the world went vegetarian, greenhouse gas emissions could be cut down by two-thirds by 2050.
It’s not like we’re meat-starved either. A 14-month project done through Glasgow University confirmed that Americans are over-consuming meat. Brazil, China, the UK, and the US are already eating DOUBLE recommended meat levels. This has affected us nutritionally, with an obesity rate that is over 30% and alarming levels of cancer and heart disease. It’s highly unlikely that any of us will die of protein-depletion simply by cutting out meat one day a week.
Sustainability: Part of A Chef’s Mission
8 years ago, as I was completing my Culinary Arts degree at Kendall College, one of my required classes was Sustainability. We read science articles highlighting the effects of agriculture on the planet – from the devastating effects pesticides have on banana farm workers in Brazil to the growing “Red Tide” that has killed off thousands of sea animals in the Gulf of Mexico.
Our Chef Instructors iterated the important role we would play as future chefs. We were not only responsible for creating delicious food. We had a duty to this planet to honor and protect her. We weeded the student garden and met local farmers. We butchered and utilized a 400-lb pig in “snout-to-tail” cooking. We were mindful of portion sizes and reducing spoilage.
As a chef, I often point to a vegan diet as being the most delicious and nutritious way to eat. Now we have another reason: Eating a plant-based diet preserves the planet.
As a chef, I want to inspire and motivate you to eat plant-based at least one day a week. This is one simple action you can take to have a dramatic impact on the future of climate change.
Can’t afford a Prius? How about cooking some pasta?
For More Help, Check out these Articles:
- Plant-Based 101 and 7 Tips for How to start a Plant-Based Diet
- Easy Oil-Free Recipes for Beginners
- Whole Foods, Plant-Based Pantry Recipes
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