Our environment provides us all the natural resources which are the necessities of a human being to survive on this planet but in return are we consciously using these resources so that it can be preserved for our future generations? We can play our part by choosing a way of living that is more sustainable and is kinder to our planet. Veganism- A diet which excludes meat and dairy products in favor of plant-based foods is an option which will help an individual to contribute to the environment.
Every food we eat has an impact on the environment and breeding, rearing and slaughtering millions of animals to meet the requirement of meat uses a lot of natural resources like fresh water and land and generates massive amounts of waste. But we do not have to feed on this unsustainable way of living whilst we can switch to plant-based products and can help protect our natural resources for our future generations to come.
Veganism and the climate change
The United Nations 2021, stated that we have only a few years left to cut off the greenhouse gas emission and can save our resources from depleting which will affect human life. The UN identifies that a plant-based diet can be an option to reduce the massive climate change and it recommended governments around the world to adopt policies to reduce meat consumption. While the government can adopt new food systems and as an individual a person can contribute to the cause by choosing veganism as the new normal. Choosing veganism at an individual level can have a great impact on the environment.
Reduces greenhouse gas emission
Each and everyone have a carbon footprint which adds up to greenhouse gas emission and what we eat is also a contributor to our individual ‘s carbon footprint, as in rearing animals and then burying them in the forest every step leave carbon footprint on the environment. This can be abandoned by switching to a vegan diet which is proven to be the single biggest way to reduce carbon footprints by 73%. Producing plant-based meat requires a lot lesser number of natural resources and it emits 90% fewer greenhouse gasses. Choosing veganism will be a more effective solution to reduce carbon footprints by growing more green food and plant-based meat.
Veganism reduces energy consumption
Animal waste is not only depleting natural resources but rearing these animals, transporting and preparing them requires a lot of energy which is a great cause in the depletion of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuel is also a source of greenhouse gas emission and in producing meat before it is sustainable for consumers consumption requires a lot of energy. Plant-based proteins like beans and nuts which are the substitute of meat are produced much more efficiently and saves energy which eventually helps in saving fossil fuels.
Conserves water
We need water for our daily livelihood and if we continue to use it foolishly soon there will be water scarcity and the conditions of droughts and we will end up disrupting the water cycle. Along with usage of water in day to day lives of an individual, agriculture also consumes more water than any other major global industry. Statistics show that 41% of water is used for agriculture to rear livestock feed for the meat industry. It can be reduced by switching to a vegan diet which can reduce an individual’s water footprints by 55% which is an essential step to be taken to conserve water globally.
Protects rainforest and land
A lot of land is demanded for meat globally, study shows that one-third of the land mass is dedicated to animals for consumption. The meat industry clears a lot of land to raise animals which results in deforestation which ends up in releasing carbon into the atmosphere. So the plant-based meat does not require this much land and switching from conventional meat to plant-based meat alternatives can save up to 90% of land. Opting for veganism and consuming proteins from plant-based meat alternatives, will be a great step to take as deforestation can decline up to 94%.
Veganism protects the soil
Healthy soil is essential for feeding our planet, but our activities are degrading the health of the soil. Farmers are unable to use the soil as using it frequently results in the loss of nutrients required for growing crops. Deforestation for cattle grazing and feeds for the meat industry erodes the nutrient rich top layer of the soil which cannot be used to grow plants. Reducing demand for meat and choosing veganism can help, as the land once used by the meat industry can be frozen so that the soil can naturally get back the nutrients from the environment and can recover from degradation.
Choosing veganism will help the planet
When we will give attention to our food system, we will be able to save our resources and will help us to create a more sustainable food system for us and animals as well. By reducing animal meat from our plate, we can bring a lot of positive aspects to the environment. Choosing veganism can be our first step as an individual to save our resources for the future.Â
veganoutreach.org/environment/
