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Research suggests that adopting a partial vegan diet—about 50%—could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, for the next 27 years, the entire global population needs to become half vegan to combat global warming and mitigate climate change.
Replacing Meat Partially Will Improve the Climate
A new study indicates that swapping out half of meat and dairy products for plant-based alternatives over the next 27 years could lower emissions by 31%. These findings are based on the agricultural practices and land use required for raising livestock and growing grains.
However, previous studies show that only China produces more emissions than meat and dairy combined. This suggests that individual actions alone may not be enough to save the planet.
A meat-heavy diet poses risks to both human health and the planet, as large-scale animal farming destroys habitats and generates greenhouse gases. A 2021 study revealed that meat and dairy account for 57% of greenhouse gas emissions related to food.
Partial Veganism Could Save the World
The new research aligns with earlier studies, noting that a shift to 50% veganism would reduce agricultural land use. One of the lead authors, Eva Wollenberg, told the Daily Mail that humanity will need much more than a so-called “Meatless Monday” to cut global greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. According to her, this study shows us the right path forward.
Plant-based meat is not just a new food product; it represents a crucial opportunity for achieving food security and climate goals. It also contributes to health and biodiversity objectives worldwide. However, as the researcher points out, such transitions are complex and require a range of technological innovations and political interventions.
The team examined global food security and the environmental impact of high consumption of plant-based meat and milk, considering the complexities of food systems. Researchers found that a scenario of 50% replacement would significantly reduce the growing impact of food systems on the natural environment by 2050.
These implications included a 12% reduction in global agricultural land use, while nitrogen inputs to arable land would account for nearly half of the projections. Additionally, a 50% vegan diet could lead to a 10% decrease in global water consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 31%.
Veganism Can Improve Climate, Economy, and Human Health
While many countries rely on meat and dairy as staple food sources, researchers argue that their findings demonstrate a potential reduction in global undernourishment to 3.6%, which would decrease the number of undernourished people by 31 million.
According to the study, the impacts may vary across regions due to differences in population and diets, uneven agricultural productivity, and participation in international agricultural trade. The primary effects on agricultural resource use occur in China, while environmental outcomes are significant in sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
These regional differences can also be leveraged to develop better strategies. As Ms. Wollenberg notes, the food sector produces about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it is notoriously difficult to decarbonize. Given the scale of benefits from replacing meat with plant-based alternatives for global sustainability, climate action, and human health, this research is crucial for consumers, food producers, and policymakers to consider.
