‘Less Meat, Less Heat’: Could Changing Your Diet Save The Planet?
ASHLEIGH JENSEN
When we choose the types of foods that we eat, we are often thinking about what would be the healthiest choices for our bodies.
While this is perfectly acceptable and the best thing we can be doing for our own health, it is also important to consider the impact our food choices are having on the planet.
The agricultural industry is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the world, accounting for between 19-29% off all global greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock production (including transportation and feed) accounts for a staggering 80% of the sector’s emissions. That’s more than the emissions for all planes, trucks, cars and boats combined!
Did you know that it takes 15,415 litres of water to produce just 1kg of beef? To put this into perspective, it takes the same amount of water to produce an average-sized steak as it does to have 105 showers!!
In case you’re scared to keep reading, thinking this will be an article trying to convince you to “Go Vegan!”, swap every bit of steak for tofu, or persuade you into thinking tempeh bacon tastes better than the real deal - fear not!
We have, however, discovered a pretty awesome App that’s all about educating us on the environmental impact of our food choices and offering a fun challenge, along with handy solutions along the way.
This App is called “Less Meat, Less Heat”.
Mark Pershin, Founder and CEO of ‘Less Meat, Less Heat’ explains how the App focuses on encouraging users to take “The Climatarian Challenge”. Each person is given 8,000 carbon points, which is equivalent to 80 kg of carbon dioxide emissions, to last them 30 days. At every meal, you are encouraged to log what you have eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with the portion sizes, then the carbon footprint of the meal is subtracted from your credits.
The goal is to stay within the carbon budget over the 30 days.
Professor Richard Eckard from the University of Melbourne explains that being able to choose our diet is a privilege, as a majority of the world's population do not have free choice due to food insecurity. However, we are the ones who also have the power to change the health of the planet for the better.
So What’s The Solution?
It’s safe to say that if our diets don’t change, the planet sure will. And sadly, this isn’t something to celebrate.
The solution is simple.
You can either steer clear of all animal products altogether OR you can simply reduce the amount of animal products you are eating.
Does the idea of meat-free meals seem foreign to you? Here’s another solution. If you predominantly eat beef, try making the change to chicken or fish. This way you will still get to consume animal protein without such a large carbon footprint being produced. It’s all about making small changes to help the sustainability of the planet (and it may even increase your dietary variety, too!)
What’s Being Done On A Global Scale?
On December 12, 2015 at the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris, the Paris Agreement was formed. At this conference, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius by 2050. Given the grave risks involved, 1.5 degrees Celsius was the ultimate goal. Sadly, livestock alone could pass this limit by 2030.
Just when you thought global warming was too big of an issue to deal with as an individual - think again. The choices that you make every day impact significantly on our planet.
What Changes Have You Made To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
Do you have a passion for nutrition & natural healing?. Learn more about the Food Matters Nutrition Certification Program here.
Ashleigh is an integral part of the Food Matters communications team. A holistic Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Bachelor of Health Promotion student and all round communications superstar. When she's not sharing health and wellness inspiration for us, you can find her down by the beach or in the kitchen creating vegan delights!