Earth Day Is April 22
Plant-based food options have exploded in recent years, both in restaurants and in grocery stores. Being vegan or vegetarian—eating no animal products or no animal meat—was far less common in past decades; as a result, there was little demand for meatless alternatives. But, as people look to make better decisions about their health and the environment, many are looking to reduce or even eliminate animal products from their diets.
What we eat and why are highly personal choices dependent upon many factors, including health needs, cultural background, and, of course, personal preferences. You might be someone who always has and always will love a nice juicy steak, with no intention of ever becoming vegetarian or vegan. That’s okay!
But, after learning about how production of animal products impacts the planet, you might decide to reduce your overall consumption. A study from the University of Reading concluded that plant-based diets create 75 percent less emissions, pollution, and land use compared to diets that contain at least 100 grams of meat per day. Most folks in the United States eat an average of almost 350 grams—around 12 ounces—a day.
Here are five specific ways reducing meat consumption can benefit the planet.
Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Methane, emitted by livestock during digestion, is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Of all global greenhouse gas emissions from food production, 57 percent are caused by animal-based foods compared to only 29 percent for plant-based foods, and 14 percent from other sources. By reducing meat consumption, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions. To produce one kilo (just over two pounds) of beef creates about 20 times more carbon emissions than producing one kilo of beans.
The demand for meat has led to extensive deforestation, particularly in regions like the Amazon rainforest where land is cleared for cattle grazing and growing feed crops. Deforestation not only destroys valuable habitat and biodiversity but also releases carbon stored in trees into the atmosphere. Beef production alone accounts for 41 percent of all global deforestation.
Decreasing meat consumption can also decrease water waste. Animal agriculture consumes 20-33 percent of all the world’s fresh water. And, overall, animal-based products require much more water per kilo of food produced than plant-based counterparts. Producing one kilo of cheese, for example, requires 5,605 liters of water—cheese is the biggest culprit when it comes to water consumption in the food industry. Most plant-based food sources require less than 10 percent that same amount of water to produce one kilo of food. There are exceptions, however. Nuts, rice, and other grains also require a lot of water.
Livestock farming can create water pollution, particularly if manure is not properly managed. Runoff from animal farms can contain harmful pathogens, antibiotics, and hormones, which can contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Reducing meat consumption can alleviate the pressure on water resources and mitigate water pollution.
Reducing consumption of animal products can also increase global food supply. The majority of some staple crops like soy, corn, and barley are grown for livestock. But, if the same land was used to grow food for humans instead, the global food supply could increase by 49 percent without increasing available cropland.
Take the Earth Day Challenge
Reducing consumption of animal products can have such a huge impact on the planet that EarthDay.org suggests that you “make your next meal plant-based” as one of the easiest ways to take action to improve the environment.
If you aren’t currently on a completely plant-based diet, this Earth Day, April 22, challenge yourself to eat at least one meal that’s plant based. If you’re someone who already eats plant-based meals or alternatives from time to time, see if you can go the whole day.
Who knows, you may even find that eventually, meat becomes an occasional treat rather than a part of your regular diet, or something you never miss again!
Eating more plant-based foods and reducing meat and dairy consumption encourages us to focus more on whole foods and plan meals with more diverse micronutrients. Incorporating more plant-based meals into our diets also encourages us to experiment with new ingredients, recipes, or entire cuisines.
Luckily, these days, choosing completely plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy options is easier than ever. So as we prepare for Earth Day, consider going plant-based for a meal, the day, or beyond in order to help improve the planet. After all, it’s the only home we’ve got! ▼
Stephen Raskauskas is a Sussex County native who has produced content for radio, TV, digital, and print.