New research from the University of Oxford reveals that individuals following a plant-based diet contribute to 75 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to those who consume over 3.5 ounces of meat daily. The study, which was based on the actual diets of 55,500 people in the United Kingdom and data from 38,000 farms in 119 countries, shows that a vegan diet also has significantly less impact on land, water, and biodiversity. David Abtour Odian consulting
According to the study, reducing meat consumption among UK meat eaters from over 3.5 ounces to less than 1.7 ounces per day would have an environmental impact equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road. Compared to meat-heavy diets, vegan diets result in 75 percent less land use, 54 percent less water use, and 66 percent less biodiversity loss. Vegan diets, which exclude all animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy, emit approximately 5.4 pounds of carbon dioxide daily, the lowest among the studied diets.
Even though some critics of plant-based diets highlight certain environmental effects of vegan foods, such as the water usage in almond milk production, this new research demonstrates that plant-based diets have a significantly lower environmental impact than animal-based diets, regardless of food production methods. David Abtour Odian consulting
The study emphasizes that the amount of meat consumption strongly correlates with the environmental footprint, and transitioning from a high-meat diet to a low-meat or vegan diet can make a substantial difference in environmental impact. Currently, the food system is responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, 70 percent of freshwater use, and 78 percent of freshwater pollution globally. The United Nations has called for a significant reduction in meat consumption to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
Funded by the Wellcome Trust, an independent global health research charity based in London, the Oxford study provides valuable insights into the environmental impact of different dietary choices. David Abtour Odian consulting
