Vegan Diets: Environmental Friend Or Foe?

Vegan diets are often considered to be environmentally friendly, but some plant-based foods can harm the environment. For example, almonds, avocados, and mangoes require a lot of water to grow. In addition, some vegan foods are imported from countries with different climates, which requires a lot of energy for transportation and can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, meat and dairy products are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. So, while a vegan diet can be better for the environment than a meat-based diet, not all plant-based foods are equally environmentally friendly.

Water consumption: fruit, vegetables and nuts in Europe often come from water-scarce regions

Water consumption is a critical factor in the environmental impact of vegan diets. While veganism is often associated with environmental consciousness, the water footprint of plant-based diets can be significant, especially when it comes to fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

In Europe, much of the fruit, vegetables, and nuts consumed are imported from water-scarce regions. These crops often require artificial irrigation, exacerbating drought conditions in their regions of origin. For example, almonds, a popular vegan source of minerals and proteins, are grown in California, which experiences water stress. Avocados, another popular vegan food, are often sourced from water-stressed regions such as California, Chile, Mexico, and southern Spain. The water-intensive nature of these crops puts pressure on local environments, with a single mature avocado tree in California requiring up to 209 litres of water daily during the summer.

The water consumption associated with vegan diets is not limited to the irrigation of crops. The production of plant-based milk alternatives, such as almond and rice milk, also contributes significantly to water usage. It takes 74 litres of water to produce a single glass of almond milk, and rice milk requires 54 litres per glass. While these numbers are lower than the water footprint of dairy milk, they are considerably higher than those of soy or oat milk.

The transportation of fruits and vegetables to European markets from distant regions also impacts water consumption. Air-transported produce, such as blueberries, strawberries, and asparagus, can have higher greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram than some meat products due to the energy required for air freight.

To minimise the water consumption associated with vegan diets, consumers should prioritise locally sourced and seasonally appropriate produce. By reducing the need for artificial irrigation and long-distance transportation, these choices can help mitigate the environmental impact of vegan diets related to water scarcity and energy use.

Imported fruit: air-freighted fruit can have a higher carbon footprint than poultry meat

Air-freighted fruit can have a higher carbon footprint than poultry meat. This is because air travel is extremely polluting and inefficient for transporting food. In fact, transporting food by air emits around 50 times more greenhouse gases than transporting the same amount by sea.

However, it is important to note that very little food is actually transported by air, accounting for only 0.16% of food miles. This is because air freight is only used for highly perishable foods that need to be eaten soon after harvesting. Examples of air-freighted goods include asparagus, green beans, and berries.

On the other hand, poultry meat has a lower carbon footprint than most plant-based foods. According to a study by Joseph Poore and Thomas Nemecek, poultry meat has a carbon footprint of 6 kg CO2-equivalents per kg, while peas, for example, emit just 1 kg per kg.

It is worth mentioning that the carbon footprint of food depends on various factors, such as land use, farming practices, transportation, and packaging. Therefore, while air-freighted fruit can have a higher carbon footprint than poultry meat, it is just one factor to consider when comparing the environmental impact of different foods.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Your Diet

To reduce the carbon footprint of your diet, it is recommended to focus on the types of food you eat rather than solely on whether your food is locally sourced. This is because transportation typically accounts for a small percentage of food emissions.

One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to limit your consumption of animal-based foods, especially beef and lamb, which have significantly higher emissions than plant-based alternatives. According to the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization, meat and dairy account for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, you can reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding air-freighted foods and choosing locally sourced options whenever possible. This is especially important for highly perishable foods, as they are more likely to be transported by air.

By making conscious choices about the types of food we eat and where it comes from, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to address climate change.

Monoculture crops: soy and corn can lead to soil degradation and erosion due to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides

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. Soy and corn are two crops that are often grown in monoculture, which can have negative environmental impacts.

Monoculture is the practice of growing a single crop over a wide area. It is widely used in industrial farming systems and allows for increased efficiency in planting and harvesting. However, continuous monocropping, or growing the same species year after year, can lead to soil degradation and erosion. Without crop rotation, the same nutrients are taken from the soil year after year without being replenished, leading to a loss of nutrients in the soil.

Soy and corn are two crops that are commonly grown in monoculture. They are often grown as feed for livestock, but they are also used in many vegan and vegetarian food products. When grown in large quantities, these crops can have negative environmental impacts, especially when synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are used.

Synthetic fertilisers can suppress the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil, enhancing the role of feeders that consume nitrogen. This amplifies the decomposition of organic matter and humus, leading to a decrease in organic matter and changes in the physical structure of the soil.

Pesticides can also have negative effects on soil health. A 2021 study found that in 71% of cases, pesticides killed or harmed soil invertebrates such as earthworms, ants, beetles, and ground-nesting bees. These invertebrates provide essential ecosystem benefits such as cycling nutrients for plants, decomposing dead organic matter, and regulating pests and diseases. By reducing the population of these invertebrates, pesticides can contribute to soil degradation and erosion.

In conclusion, while a vegan diet is generally considered more environmentally friendly than diets containing animal products, the impact of certain plant-based foods, such as soy and corn, should not be overlooked. The use of monoculture farming practices and synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in the production of these crops can lead to soil degradation and erosion, affecting the long-term health and productivity of agricultural land.

Avocados: it can take 227-824 litres of water to grow a single avocado

Avocados have become a staple food in many parts of the world, but their environmental impact is a cause for concern. Avocado production is highly water-intensive, and the water requirements for growing a single avocado vary significantly depending on the source. Some estimates suggest that it takes anywhere from 140 litres (30 gallons) to 272 litres (60 gallons) of water to grow a single avocado, while others put the figure as high as 824 litres (183 gallons) per kilogram of avocados. This means that a single avocado could require up to 280 litres of water or more, depending on the region and agricultural practices.

The water intensity of avocado production becomes even more concerning when considering that avocados are often grown in arid regions, such as California, Chile, Mexico, and southern Spain. In these water-stressed areas, the high water demands of avocado farming put immense pressure on local water resources and the environment. For example, in Petorca, Chile, a major avocado-producing region, water is relatively scarce, and the avocado industry's water usage has contributed to a water shortage crisis, impacting access to clean water for local residents.

The environmental impact of avocados extends beyond water usage. Avocado trees are typically grown as monoculture crops, which can lead to soil degradation, erosion, and a decrease in soil biodiversity. Additionally, the transport of avocados, especially by air, contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions.

While avocados can be a nutritious part of a vegan diet, the environmental implications of their production are significant. To make more sustainable choices, consumers can opt for locally sourced and sustainably grown avocados or explore alternative sources of similar nutrients, such as sunflower seeds, broccoli, olive oil, and lentils.

Almonds: it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk

Almond milk has gained popularity as a dairy alternative, with sales rising in the UK. While it has a lower carbon footprint than dairy milk, it requires more water to produce than other plant-based milks such as soy or oat milk.

Water Usage

A single glass of almond milk requires 74 litres (130 pints) of water to produce, which is more than the typical shower. In comparison, soy milk and oat milk require 28 and 48 litres of water per glass, respectively. This high water usage is due to the intensive farming methods used in almond production, which include irrigation, pesticide use, and fertiliser application.

Carbon Emissions

Almond milk is responsible for around a third of the emissions of dairy milk, with 0.7 kg of emissions per litre compared to 3.2 kg for dairy. This is because almond milk does not require the same level of processing as dairy milk, and the environmental impact of the milk itself is relatively small compared to the packaging and transportation.

Land Use

Almond milk also has a lower land use impact than dairy milk, requiring less than one square metre of land per litre, compared to nine square metres for dairy.

Environmental Impact

While almond milk has a lower environmental impact than dairy milk in terms of carbon emissions and land use, its high water usage can be a cause for concern, especially in water-stressed regions. The intensive farming methods used in almond production can also have negative consequences on the local environment.

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