Eat a Plant-Based Diet

Summary: Adopt a lower carbon diet

Description

Consuming meat and dairy products in the USA have an adverse impact on our climate.  Global food production accounts for approximately 27%-37% of global greenhouse gas emissions of which about half is attributed to red meat and dairy production.

References: Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based Diets FULL REPORT FINAL.pdf.pdf - Google Drive

Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods | Nature Food

Scientists warn that the current system of production and consumption cannot be sustained.

By migrating to a plant-based diet, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the necessary resources we depend on such as land, water, and biodiversity. Adopting a flexitarian diet, which is primarily plant-based but permits a moderate amount of meat consumption, is predicted to result in a 18% reduction in global greenhouse emissions through a combination of reduced emission and increased sequestering.  Switching to a vegan diet globally would cut total global emission by 34% through a combination of emission elimination and increased sequestering.

Reference: Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based Diets FULL REPORT FINAL.pdf.pdf - Google Drive  )

Consider techniques for slowly migrating toward a plant-based diet such as “Meatless Mondays,” reducing the frequency of serving red meat, and/or switching to dairy alternatives.  Each step that you take can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you contribute to the environment.

For more information on plant-based diets, click “Steps To Take” and “Deep Dive” on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

What’s the difference between vegetarian and vegan? 

Vegetarian is a broad term for excluding animal products from your diet. Vegetarians do not eat meat but will eat eggs and dairy. A vegan diet strictly avoids any food that contains animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. Once you become familiar with meatless recipes, try adding vegan recipes into your repertoire as well. Dairy is another food category with a big environmental footprint.

What are good plant-based protein sources?   

As you increase the number of vegan meals you eat, it’s a good idea to include plant-based recipes with protein. Lentils, beans, chickpeas,  peas, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and edamame, and seitan are all good sources of protein. Don’t limit these ingredients to main dishes—You can get your protein in salads, soups, snacks, and even desserts! 

Steps to Take

Step 1: Assess how your diet affects the climate by reviewing the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) impact breakdown.

Step 2: Wean off your meat consumption by reducing your beef intake. Try to move down EWG’s list of foods with the highest impacts. (Lamb, cheese, and pork also rank high on impact!)

Step 3: Commit to going vegetarian one or more times a week. 

Step 4: Keep your pantry stocked with ‘go to’ vegetarian snacks and recipes handy.

Step 5: Once you’ve consistently eaten vegetarian, introduce delicious vegan recipes that have no dairy or eggs.

Step 6: Spread the word and get support from others who are reducing their meat consumption!