According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, our food system is responsible for one-third of global emissions, and animal agriculture alone accounts for 14% of these emissions.
The study, which used data collected from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of almost 17,000 American adults, examined six popular American diets: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, keto, and omnivore. The keto diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, was found to be the most carbon-intensive, generating about 3 kg of carbon dioxide for every 1,000 calories consumed. The paleo diet, which excludes grains, dairy, and legumes, came in second at 2.6 kg of CO2, while the omnivore diet produced 2.2 kg of CO2.
The vegan and vegetarian diets, with carbon footprints of 0.7 kg and 1.2 kg of CO2, respectively, were found to have the lowest environmental impact and were generally healthier than their meat-heavy counterparts. The pescatarian diet, with a carbon footprint of 1.6 kg of CO2 per 1,000 calories, was the healthiest diet, based on the USDA’s Healthy Eating Index. The report suggests that if a third of the nation’s omnivores gave up meat on any given day, it would be equivalent to eliminating 340 million passenger vehicle miles-worth of carbon emissions. Furthermore, if a third of the omnivores gave up meat for a year, it would amount to 4.9% of the total U.S. emissions reduction goals under the Paris climate accord, while substantially improving nutrition quality.
Lead author Diego Rose, the nutrition program director at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, stated that giving up meat entirely is the easiest way to improve one’s carbon footprint and health. However, even those who follow carbon-intensive diets such as keto and paleo can opt for chicken and eggs instead of beef to reduce their environmental impact.
One can borrow several ideas from this to promote environmental sustainability, particularly in the area of sustainable diets. The study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights the impact of our food choices on the environment, with animal agriculture being responsible for 14% of global emissions. The study also identified six popular American diets and compared them based on environmental impact and nutritional quality.
One idea that other countries can borrow is to conduct similar studies to identify popular diets and their impact on the environment. For example, a study conducted in the UK by the University of Oxford found that plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73%. This study is helpful because it provides specific recommendations for dietary changes that can reduce carbon emissions, and the findings can be applied in other countries with similar dietary patterns.
Another idea that other countries can borrow is to promote plant-based diets through public health campaigns and policy interventions. For example, the EAT-Lancet Commission, which is a global initiative of scientists, recommends a planetary health diet that is based on plant-based foods and limits animal products. This diet is not only healthier but also more environmentally sustainable. Countries can use this as a framework to develop their own dietary guidelines and recommendations.
Furthermore, policymakers can consider implementing measures that encourage the adoption of sustainable diets. For example, taxes on meat products can incentivize consumers to choose plant-based options. A study conducted in Denmark found that a tax on beef could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2%. Similarly, subsidies for plant-based foods can make them more affordable and accessible to consumers.
In conclusion, borrowing ideas from the study on sustainable diets and other related studies can help countries promote environmental sustainability through dietary changes. Conducting similar studies, promoting plant-based diets through public health campaigns and policy interventions, and implementing measures that encourage sustainable diets can all contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.