Vegetarianism: positive impacts on the environment

All around us, people are becoming more aware of climate change.

In addition to a collective awareness of the environmental crisis, vegetarian and vegan diets are growing in popularity. This is because plant-based diets offer solutions and have a positive impact on the environment.

Vegetarianism: a current portrait

For a long time, vegetarianism was perceived as a trendy, even ironic, miracle diet reserved for marginal communities. However, the interest in vegan lifestyle and vegetarian eating seems to have taken hold among us.

According to a study conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University, 10% of Canadians now identify themselves as vegetarians or vegans. In parallel to this movement, Canadian statistics show a significant decrease in the consumption of beef, pork and dairy products.

However, the Canadian reality is far from the global picture. Between 1961 and 2011, meat consumption increased by 86% worldwide. This increase is mainly due to the increase in the number of people eating meat. As meat is an expensive food, economic growth has allowed for increased accessibility to meat and dairy products.

However, this increase is not without consequences for the environment.

Vegetarianism: To fight against greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases that are the cause of global warming. Increasing in the earth's atmosphere, they contribute to the current environmental crisis.

A few years ago, a branch of the United Nations (UN) published a report showing that raising animals for human consumption is one of the sectors most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, the livestock and dairy industries produce 18% of all greenhouse gases, 9% of all carbon dioxide and 37% of methane (an atmospheric gas with a warming power at least 25 times greater than CO2). Some independent organizations have published even higher figures.

Despite these statements, global meat consumption continues to rise. Current projections indicate that it will double by 2050, further contributing to and accelerating climate change.

However, adopting a vegan, vegetarian or pesco-vegetarian diet (vegetarianism with fish consumption) could offset the increase in greenhouse gas accumulation expected by 2050.

This is due to the low environmental impact of plant-based diets. According to an article published in one of the most prestigious and oldest medical journals The Lancetplant-based diets could reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural system by 84% and meet a pressing need for sustainability.

Vegetarianism: Conservation of our forests

To allow the breeding of animals on a large scale, we must first plan to feed them. This creates a major deforestation issue. At present, tropical forests are being ravaged in order to free up space for the monoculture of grain for captive animals. Intensive livestock farming and its implications are the source of deforestation in the Amazon.

As global meat consumption is expected to double by 2050, the consequences for deforestation will be disastrous.

However, if the world were to adopt vegetarianism or veganism, land use would be reduced by 3.1 million hectares, or 76%.

Vegetarianism: Preservation of waterways

In addition to conserving forests and green spaces, plant food keeps streams healthy.

The animal husbandry industry is the main source of water pollution in both developed and emerging countries. This finding of the UN report has been repeatedly confirmed by many organizations. Meat production is an important source of nitrogen, phosphorus and environmental pollutants that seep into waterways and affect their balance and biodiversity.

In addition to contributing to water contamination, the meat industry is responsible for the depletion of freshwater sources. Meat and dairy products require more water resources than plants. As a comparison, growing vegetables requires 322 liters of water per kilogram of vegetables while beef requires more than 15,000 liters for the same weight.

With Earth Day approaching, it goes without saying that we should be aware of our eating habits and their impact on our environment. Going vegan is not always easy, but the simple fact of reducing one's meat consumption or following the new recommendations of Canada's Food Guide advocating the Mediterranean diet can largely contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Fortunately, the plant-based food industry is booming and it has never been easier to replace meat with plant-based alternatives. Stop by our store and see for yourself.

Good health!

The team at La Boite à Grains

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Research and writing:

Véronique Cousineau, certified naturopath and health and wellness writer

Sources

1. Dr. Martin Juneau, MD, FRCP. Eat less meat to preserve the planet. July 11, 2017. Prevention Observatory. Montreal Heart Institute. Accessed April 8, 2019
2. Meat consumption, health, and the environment. H. Charles J. Godfray, Paul Aveyard, Tara Garnett, Jim W. Hall, et al. Science Journal. 20 Jul 2018
3. Reducing food's environmental impacts through producers and consumers. J. Poore, T. Nemecek. Science Journal. 01 Jun 2018.
4. Importance of considering environmental sustainability in dietary guidelines. Hanna L Tuomisto. The Lancet | Planetary Health. Volume 2, ISSUE 8, August 01, 2018.
5. THE GREEN, BLUE AND GREY WATER FOOTPRINT OF FARM ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS. M.M. Mekonnen A.Y. Hoekstra. Institute for water education, UNESCO. December 2010.