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3 environmental reasons to consider going plant-based

You’ve probably heard it before—eating animal-based products, such as meat and dairy, isn’t great for the planet. But do you know why? There are a series of interrelated reasons why our current food systems are unsustainable.

1. Plant-based products tend to have lower carbon footprints

Over a third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to food production, meaning food is responsible for more emissions than transportation. Growing, processing, transporting, cooking, and disposing of food all contribute to emissions, but not all foods contribute equally.

Animal-based products typically have significantly higher carbon footprints than plant-based products. For example, producing one serving of beef requires land (often obtained by cutting down forests) to grow crops and create pasture for cattle. These animals consume resources throughout their lives and release large amounts of methane during digestion. Methane is a greenhouse gas with extremely high warming potential but a shorter atmospheric lifespan than the infamous CO₂.
By eating plants, you reduce the land requirements (since humans consume far less than cows and do not require pasture) for food production and eliminate the emissions generated during ruminant digestion. This land can then remain forested, helping to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere.
To put this into perspective, a 2018 study of nearly 40,000 farms found that the average kilogram of beef produces 60 kilograms of CO₂, whereas producing the same amount of peas emits just 0.9 kilograms of CO₂.
Similarly, not all animal-based products have the same impact. Chicken and fish tend to have lower carbon footprints than lamb, cheese, and pork, so choices matter.

2. Animal-based products drive deforestation

We all know it’s important to protect forests because they sequester carbon and safeguard biodiversity. Yet many forests are being actively cleared to increase agricultural production. The same is happening to peatlands, a type of wetland that, when drained, emits dangerously high levels of GHGs.

Nearly half of the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture, with most of it allocated to producing meat, dairy, eggs, and farmed fish. This is because animals require vast amounts of cropland and pastureland for sustenance.
Animal-based products are responsible for nearly 70% of deforestation.
Deforestation contributes to biodiversity loss and high extinction rates. Biodiversity is essential not only for maintaining healthy ecosystems but also for ensuring the genetic diversity and resilience of our food systems.

3. Animal-based products strain our freshwater reserves

The vast majority (70%) of freshwater use is dedicated to irrigating crops, a quarter of which are consumed by livestock. Livestock production typically requires far more freshwater overall than plant-based products.

For example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires 43,000 litres of water, compared to just 1,000 litres for the same amount of grain.
Reducing the consumption of animal-based products has great potential to improve the availability of our limited freshwater reserves.
A plant-based shift could also improve freshwater quality by halving a phenomenon known as eutrophication, which causes toxic green algal blooms and ‘dead zones.’ Eutrophication results from fertiliser and manure runoff, so reducing the demand for crops and livestock could help protect our waterways.

Getting started

In summary, going plant-based can reduce your environmental footprint, lower the risk of deforestation, and improve freshwater availability and quality. These environmental reasons make our dietary choices extremely important.

However, it’s crucial to remember that not everyone has access to the resources or nutritional information needed to follow a plant-based diet—and not everyone wants to! Nonetheless, even reducing your weekly intake of the most harmful products, such as red meat, can make a significant difference.

One way to start is by introducing one or two meatless or vegan days a week. This small step can already have a meaningful impact.
Alternatively, reduce portion sizes by substituting half of your animal-based ingredients with plant-based equivalents. For instance, replace half the beef in your lasagne with lentils, which will not only benefit the environment but also add extra nutrition to your meal.

Lastly, there are additional ways to reduce your dietary environmental footprint without giving up animal-based options. For instance, while fruits and vegetables transported from overseas can have high carbon footprints, local produce isn’t always a better option.

It’s important to strike a balance between local and seasonal. Growing tropical fruit locally in a cold climate might require more resources than importing it. Shaping your weekly menu around fruits and vegetables that are both seasonal and locally available can be an effective solution.

Incorporating small changes in your diet can add up to make a significant difference for the planet!

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