The EAT-Lancet Commission establishes the best diet for human and planetary health.
“Scientists have a moral obligation to clearly warn humanity of any catastrophic threat and ‘tell it like it is’.” In November 2019, more than 11,000 scientists from 150 countries declared “clearly and unequivocally that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency.” As you can see in a series of graphs starting at minute 0:33 of my video. Win-win dietary solutions to the climate crisisCO2 levels are growing and glaciers are melting, as is Antarctica. The oceans are warming and more acidic. Sea levels are rising and extreme weather events are intensifying. Yes, fossil fuel use is increasing, for air travel, for example, but so is per capita meat consumption. In fact, one of the solutions offered by scientists to help the climate crisis is to “eat primarily plant-based foods while reducing overall consumption of animal products…”.
What makes “design A sustainable diet” is so easy that “the dietary advice is the same: eat less meat.” It’s good for our personal health (by reducing the risk of our number one killer, for example) as well as planetary health. As you can see below and at minute 1:24 in my videoless healthy foods too cause the worst environmental impact.
In fact, the foods with the greatest nutritional value turn out to be the foods that cause the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, as shown below and at 1:31 of my videoso the effect is beneficial for everyone.
Let’s put it all together. If we are going to “redesign the global food system for human and planetary health”, that is, human health, planetary health and future human health, what would it look like? Get into the EAT-Lancet Commission. That was The “result of more than 2 years of collaboration between 37 experts from 16 countries”? Suggesting a reduction in total meat consumption to no more than one ounce per day (28 g), which is approximately the weight of a single chicken nugget, and, at the same time, a dramatic increase in our intake of legumes (beans , split peas, chickpeas and lentils), vegetables, nuts and fruits. Us they are not not only in a climate crisis, but also in a health crisis. “Unhealthy diets pose a greater risk of morbidity and mortality than unprotected sex and alcohol, drug and tobacco use combined.” But we can address both crises at the same time by “increasing our consumption of plant-based foods and substantially reducing our consumption of animal-based foods.”
Following such a diet could save the lives of more than 10 million people a year. You can also help save the world. The Paris Agreement had set a boundary condition, an aspirational target for a carbon budget that helps prevent catastrophic impacts. “Staying within the limits of climate change can be achieved by consuming plant-based diets.”
Furthermore, “the economic value of health benefits associated with more plant-based diets is comparable to or exceeds the value of the environmental benefits…” The health benefits of a healthy overall predominantly plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diet alone could exceed the price of carbon saved, as you can see below and at minute 3:11 of my video. We are talking about up to 30 billion dollars a year. bran simply the health benefits of a healthier diet.
Now, if the health of yourself, the planet and your loved ones does not completely motivate you, consider that you can be too. facing threats to the world’s beer supply. The title of the article tells the story: “Decreases in global beer supply due to extreme drought and heat.”
And healthier diets don’t just reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Livestock production is the biggest driver of habitat loss”, so reducing meat consumption is also the key to biodiversity conservation. The researchers “suggest… reducing demand for food products of animal origin and increasing the proportion of foods of plant origin in diets, ideally the latter to a global average of 90% of foods consumed.” Furthermore, “livestock production is also one of the main causes of climate change, soil loss, and water and nutrient pollution,” although appears be “a blind spot in water policy.” “Although animal products constitute the most important factor in the HH of humanity [water footprint]“water managers never talk about meat or dairy.”
But it’s not just about animal products. Yes, at least 80 percent of deforestation in the Amazon is due to increase livestock and grow fodder crops such as soybeans for export to other farm animals, but it is also for do Vegetable oil, mainly palm and soybean. Both crops have been expanding, “resulting in massive deforestation accompanied by a decline in biodiversity and the release of sequestered carbon into the atmosphere… It will be particularly egregious if that deforestation is carried out for the sake of food.” scrap…”.
However, not everyone agrees that we should adopt healthier diets. The World Health Organization actually thrown from the EAT-Lancet Commission that “promotes the global shift towards plant-based foods.” Look, if we “focused on promoting predominantly plant-based foods and excluding foods considered unhealthy, including meat and other animal-based foods,” such a diet could save 10 million lives a year and $30 trillion. on health care costs, and help save. across the planet, but “could lead to the loss of… jobs related to animal husbandry and the production of ‘unhealthy’ foods…”.
So What foods have the lowest carbon footprint? Find out below and stay tuned for Which diets have the smallest carbon footprint?.
Before this video, I think the only global warming video I had to date was Diet and climate change: cooking up a storm. I am pleased to be able to contribute to this important topic.
One way to reduce the climate impact of meat is to switch to cultured or plant-based meat. I did a webinar on it and you can get the digital download here.
