I recently finished a 4 week course on the environmental impacts of a plant-based diet. I decided to write this blog post to share some of my learning with all of you.

We are currently living in a climate crisis and our daily choices matter. Among these choices, our decisions about what to eat play a surprisingly significant role in shaping the future of our planet.

As the impact of climate change becomes more pronounced, evident in the intensified hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and disruptions to ecosystems worldwide, the need for sustainable living practices becomes more apparent than ever. Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the best things we can do to help our planet. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to safeguarding precious ecosystems, the ripple effects of plant-based choices extend far beyond our plates.

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Our current food system is problematic because of the environmental footprint that the agrifood industry generates. The global food supply chain contributes approximately 16.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gases, which accounts for over a quarter of global emissions. Of this, the farming sector is accountable for four-fifths of the total emissions (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Cattle, in particular, produce methane during digestion, a potent greenhouse gas that has an atmospheric warming potential higher than carbon dioxide over a shorter time frame.

Worldwide, governments have failed to enforce controls to address the unsustainable practices within industrial farming. Not only have they failed to control these practices, they are also funding them. A recent study, commissioned by The B Team and backed by Business for Nature, showed that 1.8 trillion Canadian dollars is being spent on agricultural subsidies that contribute to ecosystem degradation and species extinction.

Plant-based diets have a substantially lower environmental footprint, with significantly reduced emissions. Shifting towards plant-based living offers a real solution to lessen the environmental impact of food choices. We can play an active role in combatting climate change and fostering a more sustainable future!

Land Use and Deforestation

The expansion of animal farming, often fueled by the demand for meat and dairy products, is a leading driver of deforestation globally. Forests are being cleared for livestock grazing and feed crop cultivation, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and vital ecosystems.

Adopting a plant-based diet is a powerful solution to this challenge. By shifting away from animal products, individuals contribute to a significant reduction in the demand for land, resulting in less deforestation. This not only helps preserve invaluable forests but also protects biodiversity.

Water Conservation

The production of meat and dairy requires huge amounts of water, from the cultivation of animal feed crops to the livestock's drinking and maintenance needs. Roughly 43,000 litres of water are needed to produce 1 kg of beef, whereas the production of 1 kg of grain requires only 1000 litres of water. This intense demand for water, for animal agriculture, contributes to the depletion of water resources and strains ecosystems.

By adopting a plant-based diet, you are contributing to global water conservation efforts.

Reduction of Pollution

Industrial animal agriculture is a major contributor to water and air pollution because pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus are release into waterways. This leads to harmful algae blooms and aquatic ecosystem degradation. Additionally, concentrated animal feeding operations emit substantial amounts of ammonia and methane into the air, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Diets free of animal products contribute to enhanced water quality by decreasing eutrophication resulting from nitrogenous fertiliser and manure runoff by 49% (Gibbs & Cappuccino, 2022).

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture emphasizes practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and resource efficiency, seeking to minimize the ecological footprint of food production. Plant-based diets align seamlessly with these principles by reducing the demand for intensive farming methods associated with animal agriculture. Choosing a plant-based lifestyle promotes the consumption of locally sourced, seasonal produce, further reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation and energy-intensive storage.

Global Impact and Advocacy

The decision to embrace a plant-based diet extends beyond individual well-being, as it holds far-reaching consequences for the health of our planet. By collectively adopting plant-based living, individuals contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, preservation of ecosystems, and the conservation of water resources on a global scale. Moreover, advocacy is a powerful tool in fostering awareness and inspiring widespread change. As advocates for plant-based living, individuals can play a pivotal role in encouraging policy changes, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and influencing societal norms!

References:

Business for Nature. (2022, February 17). Reform $1.8 trillion yearly environmentally harmful subsidies to deliver a nature-positive economy — Business For Nature. https://www.businessfornature.org/news/subsidy-reform

Gibbs, J., & Cappuccio, F. P. (2022). Plant-Based Dietary Patterns for human and planetary health. Nutrients, 14(8), 1614. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081614

Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987–992. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaq0216