With global warming increasing at an alarming rate and Antarctica going green recently, it is imperative that we think about how our lifestyle including dietary habits are responsible for all this, and to what magnitude do they play a part. With all the talks about sustainability and concerns around climate change, it is important to understand how our carbon footprint affects our planet and its future.
When it comes to food choices, there is a lot to distinguish between meat and plant-based diets and why the latter is the need of the hour:
1) Strain on Natural Resources: Land, Water, Energy
It is common knowledge that meat is resource intensive and needs a lot of land, water and energy. It requires huge areas of land for grazing and a lot of water during production and procurement.
When it comes to plant-based foods, the resources used go down significantly. For instance, cultivating grains, fruits and vegetables requires a small amount of land and water.
According to research, meat-based meals had 14 times higher environmental impact than plant-based meals. Substantial reductions in the environmental impacts of meals can be achieved when animal-based ingredients (beef, cheese, pork, chicken) are replaced with whole or minimally processed plant-based ingredients (vegetables, legumes) in recipes.
That’s why transitioning to a plant-based diet can help significantly reduce the strain on our natural resources.
2) Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 and Methane
In addition to being resource intensive, animal agriculture is a major contributor in increasing the levels of greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide and methane, which is one of the primary causes of climate change and global warming.
On the contrary, shifting exclusively to plant-based foods such as legumes, fruits and vegetables can reduce the overall carbon footprint of the food supply chain since the emission levels are far lower.
3) Pollution, Contamination and Waste
The production and procurement of meat is a major source of pollution. The run-off from animal farms, including waste and chemicals can contaminate nearby water sources, leading to harmful algal blooms and dead zones in water bodies. Furthermore, manure, which is the byproduct of meat processing leads to higher levels of soil and air pollution.
Plant-based cultivation in comparison produces less waste and lower levels of pollution. Even though the use of pesticides and fertilisers does create environmental challenges, its impact is considerably lower than those tied to large-scale animal farming.
4) Loss of Biodiversity
Animal agriculture plays an alarming role in deforestation and destruction of habitats for wildlife as well as indigenous tribes. In the last 20 years, forests in indigenous areas such as the Amazon, high mountains of Papua New Guinea and countless other locations have been cleared to make room for livestock or feed crops. This destruction leads to the displacement of indigenous tribes that have been sustainably living there for thousands of years as well as the loss of biodiversity since so many plant and animal species lose their natural habitats.
On the other hand, when done responsibly, plant-based agriculture is ecologically sustainable and less damaging to ecosystems. Growing crops for human consumption can coexist with conservation efforts. As the awareness and consumption of plant-based foods grows, agricultural practices can be adapted to minimise environmental damage while supporting biodiversity.
