A global diet free of meat and dairy is necessary for the world to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, according to a new report from the UN. The report, Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Production and Consumption: Priority Products and Materials from the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP), found that consuming a diet of meat and dairy is as bad for the planet as global fossil fuel consumption because both increase in direct proportion to the economic growth.
“Agriculture and food consumption are identified as one of the most important drivers of environmental pressures, especially habitat change, climate change, water use and toxic emissions,” explains the report. “As the global population surges towards a predicted 9.1 billion people by 2050, western tastes for diets heavy in meat and dairy products are unsustainable.”
Agriculture, in particular meat and dairy products, account for 70% of global freshwater consumption, 38% of total land use and 19% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions according to the report. A vegan diet has the least impact on the planet.
Read the UN Report here.
Via Guardian UK
Comments (23)
More people need this information, I'm glad the UN is finally paying attention.
"I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals, as surely as the savage tribes have left off eating each other.... ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
written by Natalie , June 12, 2010
"I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals, as surely as the savage tribes have left off eating each other.... ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
written by Natalie , June 12, 2010
In colder Northern Canadian climate high fatty meat consumption essential to survival - Also: Human slavery under the corporatist masters requires force -feeding of large quantities of meat to keep energy high enough to perform designated tasks! Try Canadian Hard rock mining on a tummy full of veggies and you will find it near impossible to keep up with great strong "broken in" and work hardened, meat eating miners! Heavy work required by Corporatists requires a heavy meats and high calorie diet ending in a short life with vascular disease for survivors of the ordeal of being gainfully employed in Canada, a colder country where veggies are often flown in at higher cost than meats that are domestically grown! Sweeping generalizations do little to alleviate the real stresses of the working classes!
written by Uncle B , June 16, 2010
written by Uncle B , June 16, 2010
Quite frankly humans do have the insides to eat meat. Meat contains many essential things to our inner workings such as iron and protein. Vegetables alone will not suffice to fill the void left by lack of meat-only nutrients we need. Fish isn't a great substitute either because many of them are already illegal due to over fishing so turning the whole planet of 6+ billion people to eating fish so they can sustain a veggie diet like many others do is a bad idea. Simply put animals eating other animals is necessary. Meat eaters dont push meat on vegetarians so why should they push meat on us? No one side is right in this arguement. Just one more correct than the other.
written by Anthony L , June 16, 2010
written by Anthony L , June 16, 2010
soilent green will be the official food sponsorer of the un 2015 assembly
written by jason , June 17, 2010
written by jason , June 17, 2010
We have canine teeth because we evolved as meat eaters. Meat tasted good for a reason. Sorry U.N. you can preach until you're blue in the face. I'm not buying it.
I do look forward to a day that we can grow meat in a factory, but until then, I'm eating animals (mostly free range)
written by Gordy , June 17, 2010
I do look forward to a day that we can grow meat in a factory, but until then, I'm eating animals (mostly free range)
written by Gordy , June 17, 2010
"Meat contains many essential things to our inner workings such as iron and protein"
Also easily available from non-animal sources. A varied diet of veggies and grains provides all the nutrients minus the fats of meat. Hemp milk is a source of near perfect protein, not to mention all the good things meat lacks.
written by Ren , June 17, 2010
Also easily available from non-animal sources. A varied diet of veggies and grains provides all the nutrients minus the fats of meat. Hemp milk is a source of near perfect protein, not to mention all the good things meat lacks.
written by Ren , June 17, 2010
I'm almost positive the U.N. would like for us to give up "meat and dairy", and not so much "meat and diary". I know many of my fellow Americans constantly munch on 5 1/2 x 8inch lined paper--and are VERY conscious about the effects diary eating can have on the climate.
written by ashley , June 17, 2010
written by ashley , June 17, 2010
Why, oh why are we not looking at curbing our reckless population growth.
Vegan diet means only one thing - more people.
Like we need that!
written by Zogmoose , June 17, 2010
Vegan diet means only one thing - more people.
Like we need that!
written by Zogmoose , June 17, 2010
Happy to see recognition that this is part of the solution to climate change. I'm vegan because of the animals, but personal health, the environment, and helping alleviate global poverty are also great reasons to be vegan.
I'm glad someone else recommended watching Earthlings; I second that recommendation.
To comment on a debate going on here: it seems that while our digestive systems can deal with animal products, particularly cooked ones, there's no question that we are better off without these in our diets. Healthy vegan diets offer the most protection against disease and are the most supportive of good health. For confirmation of this fact, please see the ADA and Dietitians of Canada's position papers on vegetarian diets (covers vegan diets, too).
written by Kim , June 23, 2010
I'm glad someone else recommended watching Earthlings; I second that recommendation.
To comment on a debate going on here: it seems that while our digestive systems can deal with animal products, particularly cooked ones, there's no question that we are better off without these in our diets. Healthy vegan diets offer the most protection against disease and are the most supportive of good health. For confirmation of this fact, please see the ADA and Dietitians of Canada's position papers on vegetarian diets (covers vegan diets, too).
written by Kim , June 23, 2010
Vegetarians I see look very pale and unhealthy some are also overweight but thats their choice. Just like it's my choice to eat meat and continue eating meat. This save the planet bulls**t is wearing thin. Not so long ago world leaders would have no trouble destroying the planet with nuclear weapons, now all of a sudden they want to save it from it's climate. Wake up people.
written by Mike , July 21, 2010
written by Mike , July 21, 2010
omg....we have totally lost it as a civilization....meat or no meat we're all doomed.
written by rare , July 22, 2010
written by rare , July 22, 2010
Funny...
Vegan will save the world? Hardly... Why not address the root cause??? Over Population!!!
I haven't seen the UN dip into that little morsel!!
Everything else is a spin off...
written by Mongo , July 24, 2010
Vegan will save the world? Hardly... Why not address the root cause??? Over Population!!!
I haven't seen the UN dip into that little morsel!!
Everything else is a spin off...
written by Mongo , July 24, 2010
I am seriously concerned by the lack of nutritional knowledge from pro-meat eaters here.....
written by Gazza , July 31, 2010
written by Gazza , July 31, 2010
@ Anthony L "Quite frankly humans do have the insides to eat meat"
Oh Dear, I assume you have not touched on the subject of nutrition since your Primary School "Conditioning".....
written by Gazza , August 01, 2010
Oh Dear, I assume you have not touched on the subject of nutrition since your Primary School "Conditioning".....
written by Gazza , August 01, 2010
“Science and the law can both help us forecast the consequences of our actions, but neither can tell us how we ought to act in a moral sense.” – Dalai Lama
“I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“And those who dismiss love for our fellow creatures as mere sentimentality overlook a good and important part of our humanity. But it takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal. And it is actually within us to grant them a happy life and a long one.” – Joaquin Phoenix | quote from EARTHLINGS
written by Holise E Cleveland III , December 04, 2010
“I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“And those who dismiss love for our fellow creatures as mere sentimentality overlook a good and important part of our humanity. But it takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal. And it is actually within us to grant them a happy life and a long one.” – Joaquin Phoenix | quote from EARTHLINGS
written by Holise E Cleveland III , December 04, 2010
To the naysayers: Dr. Joel Fuhrman (Book: Eat to Live) and Triathlete Brendan Brazier (Books: Thrive, Thrive Fitness) among others prove you can survive and thrive off a vegan diet.
written by Abby , December 04, 2010
written by Abby , December 04, 2010
not just Western tastes that have diets high in meat consumption? i don't eat meat, but isn't the real issue here over consumption and unsustainable farming practice. agriculture has been around for at least 10,000 yrs. what's the alternative to agriculture? the predecessor hunter gatherer paleolithic diet ? which consists mainly of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots, and nuts; and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. personally this is about the disgraceful treatment of animals for profit. think and act locally to make an impact globally.
written by Desert Dweller , December 04, 2010
written by Desert Dweller , December 04, 2010
I really think veganism is the only true solution for all problems in the world (and universe), it's the easiest one too if you really think of it, you can overall eat more delicious food, and know when you do you do not harm anything or anyone, even more if you eat vegan you make it that everyone can have a meal and plenty of water too. There are such good vegan products nowadays that everyone can!
Give up the bloody useless animal products addiction, and be vegan!.
Try to start healthy vegan agriculture. and and the climate will balance we will get a good moderate temperature everywhere and just the amount of rain we need to have,
the globe is in average too cold (57F/14C) (that is too cold!) and out of balance, (from -80C/ -120F up to +140F/+60C), which is of no use to anyone, the globe needs to warm up and balance, the ozone layer is there for a great deal to keep the warmth in and not just to keep the sun out, if we give up the very abusive animal products we will have an average temp. of aprox.71 F/ 22C and therefore more evaporation=more rain, (The good greenhouse effect) even with dissolved permafrost we will need all the land to grow crops for mineral oil replacements and food for the people, and all the water to create good sanitation world wide. with animal product that will never be possible. then we will not have to heat our houses anymore and we will not need any air conditioners, etc.
Try to stimulate the creation and availability of meat replacements and other animal products replacements, and try to start with vegan agriculture.
www.Meatlessmonday.com
written by Ineke de Wild , December 05, 2010
Give up the bloody useless animal products addiction, and be vegan!.
Try to start healthy vegan agriculture. and and the climate will balance we will get a good moderate temperature everywhere and just the amount of rain we need to have,
the globe is in average too cold (57F/14C) (that is too cold!) and out of balance, (from -80C/ -120F up to +140F/+60C), which is of no use to anyone, the globe needs to warm up and balance, the ozone layer is there for a great deal to keep the warmth in and not just to keep the sun out, if we give up the very abusive animal products we will have an average temp. of aprox.71 F/ 22C and therefore more evaporation=more rain, (The good greenhouse effect) even with dissolved permafrost we will need all the land to grow crops for mineral oil replacements and food for the people, and all the water to create good sanitation world wide. with animal product that will never be possible. then we will not have to heat our houses anymore and we will not need any air conditioners, etc.
Try to stimulate the creation and availability of meat replacements and other animal products replacements, and try to start with vegan agriculture.
www.Meatlessmonday.com
written by Ineke de Wild , December 05, 2010
Why not strike a balance and eat less meat and more grains, veggies & fruits than we currently eat? We should maybe eat less meat than we do now---instead of several times a day, we should maybe eat meat a few times a week and eat grains, veggies & fruits in a much bigger way than we do now. We seem to be made to eat a certain amount of meat, a minimal amount would probably prove to be best for us but not eliminating meat completely in our diets. Also eating a variety of meats when we eat them once or twice a week and doing the same with eating grains, veggies and fruits---paying attention to eating the best ones our monies can afford---paying particular attention to eating organic produce and whole foods whenever possible.
written by Catherine Heiby , December 06, 2010
written by Catherine Heiby , December 06, 2010
Please read "The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith.
Read it, and then criticize it. She makes some excellent points about diet, justice, and sustainability.
written by Gyorn , February 11, 2011
Read it, and then criticize it. She makes some excellent points about diet, justice, and sustainability.
written by Gyorn , February 11, 2011
More BS from the UN. The Bovine Ruminant or cow is a necessary part of the natural carbon cycle building soil fertility by re-cycling plant energy and atmospheric carbon into soil carbon or organic matter(fertility) Eating surplus cows then becomes human sustainability. Proof is in India where religion and the societal system has sustained a symbiotic relationship between over a billion people and 300 million bovines on 2.1of; the worlds land mass.. About 700million people are sustained by the plant material processed through the Holy Cow begetting life sustaining HOLY DUNG or HS. And another about 300 million people clean up and eat the natural remains. In other words about 2% of land mass has for generations sustained 20% the worlds people and cattle. Without the cow how does the garden grow? by fossil fuel use in a chemical soup? already such vegetables are known to be of less nutritive value. whilst depleting soil fertility. Our evolutionary diet and brain fat/ health was and remains about 70% animal protein/fat based. We evolved from the fat of the land through the flower of the field of which the goodliness is flesh. Natural carbon sequestration is via the ruminant which brings us back to BS is the savior of our planet, but it comes with 4 legs and is real not imaginary.
written by Frank Foster , February 13, 2011
written by Frank Foster , February 13, 2011
Gordy, canine teeth...are you joking? Can you imagine catching an animal and ripping them apart with those piddling little things. We more than likely evolved as chancers....species that scavenge... and that's why we developed those poor excuses for canine teeth. Our bodies are designed for a vegan diet and that's why there are so many health issues attached to eating meat. As usual, a whole host of misinformed comments from people who are looking for excuses to continue to eat animals. Amazing how vegans can complete Ironman triathlons and have the energy to undertake all sorts of other amazing endurance feats but they wouldn't be able to be a miner.
written by Lisa , March 31, 2011
written by Lisa , March 31, 2011
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written by Muffin , June 11, 2010