A new research highlights that eating less meat can help us save the Earth's environment and also assist in meeting the global food demand.
The population on Earth is increasing and so is the demand for food. There has been an increased demand for western-style diet, which involves a lot of meat consumption. However, a joint study conducted by the researchers at the Aberdeen and Cambridge universities suggests that meat consumption should reduce to help the future environment.
An increased demand of meat means that farmers will raise more livestock. With an increase in the livestock more forests and farms will be converted to accommodate the animals. Experts reveal that around 10 percent of the forest land may disappear in the next 35 years. Deforestation will result in increased emission of carbon in the atmosphere. Moreover, increased livestock will also contribute in the release of higher levels of methane gas.
Experts say that all the factors combined will result in the increase in emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 80 percent by 2050. The researchers warn that vital changes in the food industry only can lead to negative impacts on the climate of the planet.
The researchers also recommend that as part of a balanced diet, people should limit their red meat intake to just two portions in a week, poultry intake to seven portions per week and just five eggs per week.
"This is not a radical vegetarian argument; it is an argument about eating meat in sensible amounts as part of healthy, balanced diets," says Keith Richards, professor at the department of geography in the University of Cambridge, who is also the co-author of the study. "Managing the demand better, for example by focusing on health education, would bring double benefits - maintaining healthy populations, and greatly reducing critical pressures on the environment."
The research also highlighted the importance of reducing food waste throughout the world. The scientists also indicate that food waste happens at all levels in the food chain. In many developing countries food is wasted due to poor transportation or storage conditions. In developed countries, eating habits usually result in waste of food. Governments as well as individuals across the globe should understand the need of reducing food waste as much as possible.
The study has been published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
