Vegan Diets: Saving The Planet, One Bite At A Time

The vegan diet is widely regarded as being better for the planet than diets that include animal products. Research shows that meat and dairy products are fuelling the climate crisis, while plant-based diets focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans help protect the planet. However, not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint. For example, avocados, almonds, and cashew nuts are some of the most water-intensive large-scale crops grown on the planet.

The environmental impact of veganism

Veganism 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.

The Benefits of Veganism for the Environment

Research shows that meat and dairy products are fuelling the climate crisis, whereas plant-based diets—focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans—help protect the planet. A report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that shifting diets from meat and other animal products to plant-based alternatives has a high potential for reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, animal products, both meat and dairy, generally require more resources and cause higher emissions than plant-based alternatives. The World Health Organization adds that reducing livestock herds would also reduce emissions of methane, the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Cattle produce methane as part of their normal digestive process, and when cows burp, the methane is released into the atmosphere.

A study carried out by Oxford University suggested that if the world went vegan, it could save eight million human lives by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds, and lead to healthcare-related savings and avoided climate damage costs of $1.5 trillion (£1.15 trillion).

The Downsides of Veganism for the Environment

Even though veganism is better for the environment than diets that include animal products, some plant-based foods can still have a negative impact on the environment. For example, it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk. That’s more than a typical shower. Rice milk is also quite ‘thirsty’, requiring 54 litres of water per glass.

Delicate fruits like blueberries and strawberries are often imported to Europe and the US by air to fill gaps when local fruits are out of season. Avocados are another water-hungry crop. It takes 227 litres (60 gallons) of water to grow a single avocado, while others put it at 824 litres (183 gallons) per kilogram. Avocados are not alone in their extreme water use. Other fruits such as mangoes and plums also suck up large amounts of water. A kilogram of mangoes requires 686 litres (150 gallons) of water, while the same amount of plums needs 305 litres (67 gallons).

Cocoa and raw cacao products also have a dark side when it comes to the environment. Cocoa is a major driver of tropical deforestation and one of the biggest contributors to global biodiversity loss after beef, pork, and poultry meat. Exact figures for how much forest is being lost due to cocoa production are hard to pin down, but it is estimated that 2-3 million hectares (4.9-7.4 million acres) of tropical forests were lost to cocoa plantations between 1988 and 2008.

Veganism and plant-based diets have huge benefits for the environment and certainly cut down on climate-damaging emissions from cattle. However, they are not exempt from the environmental concerns of any other diet. It's all about finding a balance, and it may be the case that including a small amount of meat, fish, and dairy in your predominantly plant-based diet is more sustainable than consuming large amounts of soy, almonds, and avocados, which can have a significant environmental impact of their own.

The health benefits of veganism

A vegan diet is widely regarded to be better for the planet than diets that include animal products. However, a vegan diet is not always the most sustainable option. For example, avocados, almonds, and cashew nuts are all water-intensive crops, and the production of plant-based foods can still negatively impact the environment.

Despite this, veganism and plant-based diets offer huge health benefits. A study by Oxford University suggested that if the world went vegan, it could save eight million human lives by 2050. This is because meat and dairy products are fueling the climate crisis, and plant-based diets help protect the planet. According to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, shifting diets from meat and other animal products to plant-based diets could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality from diet-related non-communicable diseases.

The World Health Organization supports this view, stating that "reducing livestock herds would also reduce emissions of methane, which is the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide." Additionally, the American Medical Association has declared climate change a public health crisis that threatens the health and well-being of all people.

However, it is important to note that not all plant-based diets are equally beneficial to health. A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that healthier plant-based diets were associated with better environmental health, while less healthy plant-based diets, which are higher in refined grains and sugar-sweetened beverages, required more cropland and fertilizer.

Overall, while a vegan diet may not always be the most environmentally sustainable option, it can offer significant health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The environmental impact of meat and dairy

Meat and dairy products have a huge environmental impact. According to the United Nations, meat and dairy (farmed livestock) account for 11.2% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. The production of meat, particularly beef, also devours more land and water and causes more environmental damage than any other single food product.

The EAT-Lancet Commission recommends reducing our consumption of animal products to benefit the health of the planet. Even the "greenest" sources of meat produce more greenhouse gases than plant-based proteins.

Beef is the worst offender, with one study showing that 57% of global greenhouse gas emissions from food production come from meat and dairy products, with beef contributing the most.

Cattle farming also uses vast quantities of water and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Methane is produced as part of the normal digestive process of cows, and is released when they burp.

If everyone went vegan, scientists believe the world's food-related emissions might drop by 68% within 15 years, limiting global warming.

The environmental impact of plant-based foods

The Benefits of a Vegan Diet

A vegan diet is widely regarded as being better for the planet than diets that include animal products. Research shows that meat and dairy products are fuelling the climate crisis, whereas plant-based diets focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans help protect the planet. A report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that shifting to plant-based diets has a high potential for reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to the UN, meat and dairy (farmed livestock) account for 11.2% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists believe that if everyone adopted a vegan diet, the world's food-related emissions might drop by 68% within 15 years, thereby limiting global warming. A study by Oxford University estimated that a global shift to veganism could lead to an $8 trillion saving in healthcare costs and avoided climate damages by 2050.

Reducing Land Use

Research in 2018 showed that without meat and dairy consumption, global farmland use could be reduced by more than 75% – an area equivalent to the US, China, the EU, and Australia combined. This reduction in farmland could help restore soil quality, biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

Reducing Water Use

Cattle farming uses vast quantities of water, but some plant foods also require extensive water usage. For example, it takes a lot of water to produce similar quantities of nuts (especially almonds and cashew nuts) and avocados.

The Downsides of a Vegan Diet

Despite the benefits of a vegan diet, some plant-based foods can have a negative environmental impact.

Air Miles

Some vegan foods, such as beans, pulses, and avocados, are often imported from other countries, resulting in high air miles. This is particularly true for those living in countries that rely on imported produce, such as the UK.

Water Usage

Although cattle farming uses a lot of water, some plant foods also require extensive water usage. For example, it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk, and avocado production requires large amounts of water.

Deforestation

Some plant-based foods, such as soy and palm oil, have been linked to deforestation. Soy is the second-largest agricultural driver of deforestation worldwide, and palm oil production in Southeast Asia has caused huge deforestation and threatened the orangutan with extinction.

Fertiliser Use

Some plant-based foods, such as soya, require fertiliser use, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

The Bottom Line

While a vegan diet can have significant benefits for the environment, it is important to be mindful of the specific impacts of different plant-based foods. The environmental impact of a vegan diet can be reduced by consuming locally sourced, seasonal produce and avoiding high-impact foods such as avocados, almonds, and palm oil.

The future of food

The short answer is yes, but it's not that simple. A vegan diet is widely regarded as being better for the planet than diets that include animal products. However, it's important to consider the environmental impact of specific plant-based foods and the way they are produced.

The Impact of Vegan Diets

Research shows that meat and dairy products are significant contributors to the climate crisis, with industrialised animal farming accounting for 11.2% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. A shift to plant-based diets focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans could lead to substantial reductions in carbon footprints and climate change mitigation. According to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, such a shift could reduce food-related emissions by 68% within 15 years, helping to limit global warming.

The Impact of Specific Foods

However, it's important to note that not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint. Some vegan foods, such as almonds, avocados, and soy, can have a significant environmental impact due to their high water usage and the energy required for transportation. For example, it takes 74 litres of water to make a single glass of almond milk, and avocados and mangoes are often flown to Europe and the US, contributing to their carbon footprint.

The Role of Governments and Policy Changes

While individual choices to adopt a vegan or plant-based diet can make a difference, experts emphasise the need for policy changes and government incentives to address the climate crisis effectively. This includes offering price incentives for sustainable products, making beef and dairy more expensive, and providing clear guidelines on the environmental impact of different foods to help consumers make informed choices.

The Future of Sustainable Diets

While a vegan diet can be better for the environment, it's important to consider the impact of specific food choices and production methods. Individual actions, combined with government policies and incentives, can help create a more sustainable future for our food systems and the planet.

Frequently asked questions