Plant-Based Diets: Eco-Friendly Or Racist?

Are plant-based diets really environmentally friendly?

There is a growing consensus that plant-based diets are better for the planet than diets that include animal products. According to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, shifting diets from meat and other animal products to plant-based alternatives has a high potential for reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change. A report from the United Nations Environment Programme also states that animal products generally require more resources and cause higher emissions than plant-based alternatives.

However, not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint. For example, delicate fruits like blueberries and strawberries are often imported by air to fill gaps in the market when local fruit is out of season. Similarly, avocados, almonds, and cashew nuts are some of the most water-intensive crops grown on the planet.

Overall, while plant-based diets are generally more environmentally friendly than diets that include animal products, not all plant-based foods are equal when it comes to their environmental impact.

Plant-based diets are more sustainable than animal-based diets

The modern Western world's unhealthy relationship with meat

We have an unhealthy relationship with the animal products we consume. We've distanced ourselves from our consumption, allowing for horrific practices to take place, and our current practices are environmentally dangerous.

The environmental impact of meat

A lifecycle analysis found that red meat is responsible for 10 to 40 times as many greenhouse gas emissions as common vegetables and grains. This is due to a range of factors, including the food needed to feed the animals, the destruction of swaths of land for farms, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers.

The health impact of meat

On average, people from the USA and Canada consume almost twice as much protein daily than is recommended. Eating too much protein can lead to certain cancers, strokes, and heart disease.

The global impact of an eco-friendly diet

From an environmental perspective, making the swap toward a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. A University of Oxford study found that veganism could reduce food-related GHG emissions by 70% by 2050, while vegetarianism could reduce emissions by 63%.

The nuances of plant-based diets

Just as it's possible to be vegan and still eat unhealthily, there are some vegan foods that aren't great for the planet, either. For example, it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk, and avocados are also a water-hungry crop.

The future of sustainable diets

Some experts point to the rise of technology and plant-based, lab-grown or 3D-printed meats as the food of the future. Others believe that insects will feature in our future diets. However, neither of these options is vegan, so for those who want to cut out animal products entirely, a flexitarian diet is a more sustainable option than a fully animal-based diet.

Some plant-based foods have a high environmental cost

While plant-based diets are generally considered more sustainable than diets rich in animal products, not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint.

Avocados

Avocados are an important source of protein, vitamins, and fatty acids for people cutting meat from their diets. However, they require huge amounts of water. A single mature tree in California, for example, needs up to 209 litres of water per day in the summer. Avocados also require a lot of water to be produced, with estimates ranging from 140 to 272 litres of water per avocado. The high water requirements of avocados have led to illegal extraction from rivers in Peru and Chile, contributing to the increasing water shortage crisis in these countries.

Blueberries and Strawberries

Delicate fruits like blueberries and strawberries are often imported to Europe and the US by air to fill gaps in the off-season. Research by Angelina Frankowska found that asparagus eaten in the UK has the highest carbon footprint compared to any other vegetable, with 5.3kg of carbon dioxide produced for every kilogram of asparagus, mainly due to air transportation from Peru.

Almonds and Cashew Nuts

Almonds and cashew nuts are some of the most water-intensive large-scale crops grown globally. It is estimated that between them, tree nuts consume 4,134 litres of fresh water for every kg of shelled nuts purchased. Almonds, in particular, require large amounts of water, pesticides, and fertiliser, giving them a disproportionately large environmental impact.

Cocoa

Cocoa is a major driver of tropical deforestation and one of the biggest contributors to global biodiversity loss after beef, pork, and poultry. It is estimated that between 2 and 3 million hectares of tropical forests were lost to cocoa plantations between 1988 and 2008. The environmental impact of cocoa can vary widely, with a small 50g bar of dark chocolate creating up to 7kg of CO2 emissions in extreme cases.

Plant-based diets can reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Problem with Meat

The modern Western world has an unhealthy relationship with the animal products we consume. We have distanced ourselves from our consumption, leading to a lack of awareness about the horrific practices involved in industrialised animal farming. All aspects of large-scale commercial farming are highly unsustainable. According to a lifecycle analysis by the EWG, red meat such as beef and lamb is responsible for 10 to 40 times as many greenhouse gas emissions as common vegetables and grains. This is due to the range of factors needed to sell meat at such a high volume, including the food required to feed the animals, the destruction of swathes of land for farms, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers.

The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

From an environmental perspective, switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. A University of Oxford study found that veganism could reduce food-related GHG emissions by 70% by 2050, while vegetarianism could achieve a 63% reduction. This is because meat and dairy (farmed livestock) currently account for 11.2% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. If we all went vegan, scientists believe the world's food-related emissions might drop by 68% within 15 years, limiting global warming.

The Nuances of a Plant-Based Diet

However, it's important to note that not all plant-based diets are equally beneficial for the environment. For example, it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk, and avocados are also a water-hungry crop. Soy, while only 6% of which is grown for human consumption, is the second-largest agricultural driver of deforestation worldwide after beef. Palm oil, a common ingredient in vegan alternatives, is often grown irresponsibly, causing huge deforestation. Evidence also shows that imported fruit can be problematic due to air freight, and some intensively grown local produce can have a bigger carbon footprint than imported food.

A Sustainable Future

"Going back" to plant-based diets seems to be a reasonable alternative for a sustainable future. Policies in favour of the global adoption of plant-based diets will simultaneously optimise the food supply, health, environmental, and social justice outcomes for the world's population. However, it's important to note that a vegan diet is not the only way to help reduce carbon emissions, deforestation, water scarcity, and decreasing biodiversity. Other approaches, such as food waste reduction and precision agriculture, should also be pursued.

Plant-based diets can reduce water use

The vegan diet is widely regarded as being better for the planet than diets that include animal products. However, not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint. Beef, for example, has an unsurpassable contribution to the planet's greenhouse gas emissions, and devours more land and water and causes more environmental damage than any other single food product.

Water Use

The impact of a plant-based diet on water consumption is immense. A plant-based diet can reduce water consumption by up to 50%. This is because it takes a lot of water to produce meat. For example, producing a single pound of beef takes an average of 1,800 gallons of water, while one pound of tofu takes 302 gallons of water.

Tips for Reducing Your Water Footprint

• Cut down on dairy and meat products: Producing meat requires a lot of water. Try replacing meat with plant-based alternatives such as beans, nuts, whole grains, lentils, and seeds.
• Buy local produce and products: Shopping local helps support small businesses and farmers while also reducing the number of food miles required to deliver food to your table.
• Limit food waste: Try to embrace leftovers and be conscious about your grocery shopping habits to reduce food waste.

Adopting a plant-based diet can be a great way to reduce your water footprint and help the planet. However, it is important to be mindful of the types of plant-based foods you consume, as not all plant-based foods have a low environmental impact.

Plant-based diets can be healthy

Plant-based diets are more sustainable than diets rich in animal products, as they use fewer natural resources and are less environmentally taxing. However, not all plant-based diets are created equal when it comes to health and environmental benefits.

Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets

Plant-based diets have been linked to several health benefits, including:

• Weight control and obesity prevention: Plant-based diets have been associated with lower body weight and reduced risk of obesity.
• Improved blood lipids and cardiovascular health: Studies suggest that plant-based diets can lead to lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and apo-B levels, contributing to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Blood glucose control and type 2 diabetes prevention: Plant-based diets may positively impact blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Environmental Benefits of Plant-Based Diets

Plant-based diets generally have a lower environmental impact than diets high in animal products, particularly meat and dairy. Here are some specific examples:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: A shift towards plant-based diets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet is estimated to reduce food-related emissions by up to 70% compared to an omnivorous diet.
• Reduced water use: Animal agriculture, especially meat production, requires significant water usage. By contrast, plant-based diets, even those including water-intensive crops like rice, generally have a lower water footprint.
• Reduced land use: Plant-based diets can help reduce land use, as animal agriculture often requires large areas for grazing and feed production.

Considerations for a Healthy and Eco-Friendly Plant-Based Diet

While plant-based diets offer health and environmental benefits, it's important to consider the specifics of your diet:

• Variety is key: Ensure your plant-based diet includes a wide variety of plant-based foods to meet your nutritional needs. A well-planned plant-based diet can provide adequate micronutrients.
• Beware of highly processed plant-based foods: Ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as refined grains, sweets, and sugary drinks, may have negative health impacts and higher environmental costs.
• Choose sustainable sources: Opt for locally sourced, in-season produce whenever possible to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and refrigeration.
• Be mindful of water-intensive crops: While plant-based diets are generally water-efficient, certain crops like almonds, avocados, and soy can have high water footprints.

Frequently asked questions