Yes, we heard all about it in 2018, but is veganism really the way towards an eco-friendlier future?
Short answer, yes.
Scientists at Oxford University found veganism to be the ‘single biggest way’ for an individual to reduce their environmental impact. Dropping meat and dairy could cut someone’s carbon footprint by up to a staggering 73%.
This is due to the vast impact animal agriculture has on greenhouse gas emissions. The industry is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the world’s entire transport sector combined. When animals and their byproducts are considered (one being Nitrous Oxide – a greenhouse gas that is 296 times more destructive than Carbon Dioxide), it holds animal agriculture accountable for 51% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
I first came across this shocking stat nearly two years ago when a friend and I sat down to watch Cowspiracy. This classic tale of carnivore turned vegan in two short hours is possibly one you've heard before - it's a very powerful documentary which has received some rebuttal. My friend and I instantly changed our eating ways, she cut meat out instantly and is still going strong on the veggie front. I took a different approach and cut out dairy, beef and pork, then lamb and chicken. I decided to cut all beef and dairy products out first cause I didn't realise the extent of the damage they cause to our planet.
Cows are the most harmful livestock consumed by humans. They are ten times more damaging to the environment than any other form of livestock. Scientists have found that if you annually eat 75g of beef, 3-5 times a week, you could use the same amount of energy to fly from London to Malaga 5 times, heat your home for 255 days or drive a petrol car 4,112 miles(!!!!) The stats are absolutely staggering.
Animal agriculture is responsible for 51% of all greenhouse gas emissions
A vegan produces the equivalent of 50% less carbon dioxide, uses 1/11th oil, 1/13th water and 1/18th land compared to the average meat consumer. To put that into context, in just one day a plant based diet saves 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forested land and 20 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Shifting towards a more plant-based diets could also reduce global farmland use by 75% meaning reforestation could take place. Animal agriculture is to blame for a significant amount of recent deforestation of the Amazon, in fact 70% of deforestation of the Amazon between 2000-2005 can be attributed to the beef industry. There is a danger, that if we continue to deforest as heavily as we are, the Amazonian rainforest will no longer be a carbon sink, that absorbs our excess emissions-but will actually be a huge emitter itself! In a recent study, scientists have found that tropical rainforests are now emitting almost twice as much oxygen as they consume. Experts have noted that ‘the level of destruction [is] astounding’, that the ‘ecosystem[s] [are] vitally important and there’s no reason to destroy [them]’.
The beef industry in particular, is responsible for the elevating levels of habitat destruction, species extinction and rising greenhouse gas levels. This is because, not only is grazing land required for the cows, land and water are also needed to grow the grain fed to them. Cornell University found that for just one calorie of beef, 40 calories of fossil fuel energy is required. Whereas producing one calorie of human edible grain only uses 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy. This process is incredibly water-intensive and results in just one pound (or 453 grams) of beef requiring 1,799 gallons of water – that’s the same as nearly 6 months’ worth of showering?!
Now I know there’s controversy concerning veganism, whether it’s getting all the nutritional substance we need, or that meat eating is traditional and part of our culture. Converting to a plant-based diet can be difficult and some people believe it to be more expensive than a carnivorous diet. I’ll admit, having some skills in the kitchen will make the transition easier. However, even if you burn soup there are so many influencers that post easy recipes to follow on Instagram and YouTube.
Global movement to veganism would inhibit 11 million deaths annnually
The EAT-Lancet Commission published a report concluding that universal adoption of a planetary health (or plant based) diet would aid avoidance of major environmental degradation and inhibit 11 million annual human deaths. They explain the ‘data’ behind this is abundant and ‘is strong enough to warrant immediate action’.
So what are we waiting for? Eating more plant-based foods tackles both climate change and millions of unnecessary deaths. This this shift does not have to equal total veganism- just a collective cut down. Even if that means eating steak once a fortnight than every week, you’ll be making a measurable change!
If you want to know more about veganism please let me know what you'd like to see (recipe suggestions, restaurants or anything else etc) , and I'll start writing!
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