Food for Thought: Is Eating for the Planet One of the Greatest Tools for Improving Sustainability?
As it looks like the world is tip-toeing alarmingly closer to the 1.5°C threshold of global warming, consumers ought to be seeking innovative ways to reduce our imprint on the climate crisis and claim some degree of responsibility. Following a growing body of evidence, it seems as if one of the greatest tools to tackle climate change lies in going plant-based. ‘Plant-based diet’ is an umbrella term that encapsulates any diet consisting predominantly of plants. These ‘plants’ are items such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. One following ‘plant-based’ living may be vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian or even flexitarian, the main tenet being minimal meat and maximum veg.
Whilst this may strike some as simply a trendy lifestyle movement, it is a way of living that should be taken very seriously in its redemptive power and force. The rise in plant-based diets and their popularity have increased rapidly in the past few years, with approximately a quarter of the population now adopting meat-free or meat-reduced diets according to Global Food Security (Sajeev, 2021). Confusion over what is the most ethical food choice to make in terms of environmental impact has prompted the first full scientific review of what constitutes a healthy diet from a sustainable food system, and behold the answer is a plant-based system (EAT-Lancet Commission, 2019). It has been claimed by the EAT-Lancet report that a plant-based diet is not only good for the environment but also good for overall human health. They are not alone in their research, with most emerging studies concluding that a diet rich in plant-based foods and with fewer animal-source foods confers both improved health and environmental benefits. Still, is this too large a claim to be made?
It seems not. One of the most significant ways a plant-based diet helps the environment is by reducing the amount of meat products consumed. One major factor in the contribution to climate change is the impact of cattle farming and overconsumption of meat in the West. About 40% of greenhouse gases come from agriculture, deforestation and other land-use changes (Oreskes, 2022). Red meat in particular drives climate change in two ways, through methane production and the amount of deforestation that happens to clear space for grazing. Moreover, the consistent use of factory farming for eggs and meat also prioritises cheap masses of food at the expense of environmental and animal welfare (Kim, 2021). This is a staggering amount of destruction caused by unsustainable food systems.
The EAT-Lancet report recommends that to combat unsustainable food systems, one should eat approximately half a plate of vegetables and fruit and the other half should consist of whole grains, plant protein and minimal animal sources (see Figure 1). This in turn is the most sustainable choice of food sources, whilst still optimising human health. However, it is worth noting that this is tuned as a recommendation for the current average Western diet, and an individual's diet must be carefully considered contextually based on local and regional situations.
Figure 1- Recommendations for a sustainable diet (EAT-Lancet Commission, 2019)
Not only is this diet sustainable, but it is also healthy. For example, studies have shown that a predominantly plant-based diet is successful in promoting the decrease of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity (Global Cause, 2019). It is also more accessible in price and affordability, in which its adoption could seek to improve food inequality in Britain. One study has shown that by adopting a mainly plant-based diet, the average family could slash their food bill by up to one-third (University of Oxford, 2021).
However, some questions are still left unanswered as to how to create equity in sustainable diets. Perhaps questions surrounding how plant-based living affects menstruation and pregnancy need more research and data to offer guidance. Many papers on sustainable diets almost never touch on the nutritional needs of women in their approach, including the EAT-Lancet report. Moreover, another question lies as to how to improve education of and accessibility to the benefits of a plant-based diet to those in low-income households and areas. Although opting for a plant-based lifestyle may be cheaper on a base resource level, lack of accessibility to larger cheaper supermarkets and the expense of travel may act as an unforeseen barrier. Moreover, another barrier may be the amount of time to cook meals from scratch whilst juggling work and education. However, generally, the move to incorporate a plant-based lifestyle is a positive one, which will become even more beneficial for society with further pressures on improving accessibility for those with a lower-income. It is important to form a plant-based system that promotes equality, health and sustainability.
Going forward, consider making some small plant-based changes in your day-to-day life as you may be utilising one of the greatest tools for your health and that of the planet. This could be by reducing the days a week you are consuming meat and making sure if you must buy animal products they are certified as organic. You could aim to create creative meals based on the EAT-Lancet report and prepare in advance so that you do not feel inclined to opt for an unsustainable quick fix such as fast-food. Another way to eat sustainably is by using seasonal produce and looking into the resources of your local area. You may even try your hand at growing veg, which will reduce the transportation of goods and plastic packaging used to bring items to supermarkets. In addition, you can also reduce waste by buying less and using leftovers in the fridge, for example by fermenting food and utilising the freezer. Finally, if you have spare income, you could supplement healthy and fulfilling food at a local food bank or soup kitchen, a step towards a more sustainable approach to tackling inequality.
So, there it is, food for thought: is going plant-based the most powerful solution for tackling climate change? Why not give it a go?
Bibliography
EAT-Lancet Commission (2019). Food Planet Health Healthy Diets From Sustainable Food Systems. [online] Available at: https://eatforum.org/content/uploads/2019/07/EAT-Lancet_Commission_Summary_Report.pdf.
Global Cause. (2019). Can a plant-based diet prevent or even reverse chronic disease? - Global Cause. [online] Available at: https://www.globalcause.co.uk/plant-based-alternatives/can-a-plant-based-diet-prevent-or-even-reverse-chronic-disease/.
Kim, H. (2021). Factory Farming’s Environmental Impact: Facts and Statistics. [online] Sentient Media. Available at: https://sentientmedia.org/factory-farming-environmental-impact/.
Oreskes, N. (2022). Eating Less Red Meat Is Something Individuals Can Do to Help the Climate Crisis. Scientific American, [online] 326(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0122-78.
Sajeev, E. (2021). Is the UK ready for plant-based diets? [online] Available at: https://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/publications/is-the-uk-ready-for-plant-based-diets.pdf [Accessed 28 Mar. 2024].
University of Oxford (2021). Sustainable eating is cheaper and healthier - Oxford study | University of Oxford. [online] www.ox.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-11-11-sustainable-eating-cheaper-and-healthier-oxford-study.