In recent years, climate change has ceased to be a distant concern and has become a palpable reality. The increase in temperatures, drought and water scarcity are clear signs of a planet that is being deeply affected by our activities.
In this context, recent research have revealed that a global reduction in meat consumption could be an effective solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsa crucial step to mitigate global warming.
Climate change manifests itself in various ways: more intense heat waves, prolonged periods of drought and increasing water scarcity are just some of the consequences we are already seeing. These alterations not only affect our environment, but also have direct repercussions on our daily lives.
Despite this reality, there are individual actions that can have a significant impact on the well-being of the planet. Among these, the most relevant is to reduce meat consumption. Each person’s eating habits, multiplied by the global population, have a huge environmental effect.
According to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, the adoption of a flexitarian diet, which involves a Reduction in meat consumption and an increase in the consumption of plant-based foods could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The concept of a flexitarian diet is not new, but it is gaining relevance in the current context. This diet It is based on a predominantly plant-based diet, allowing the occasional consumption of animal products such as eggs and dairy products, and severely limiting the consumption of meat and fish.. Florian Humpenöder, lead author of the aforementioned study, highlights that the flexitarian is neither vegetarian nor vegan, but is about reducing the amount of livestock products, especially in high-income regions, which is not only beneficial for the planet, but also for human health.
Adopting a flexitarian diet can be a first step towards greater environmental awareness. Instead of imposing a total restriction, a gradual reduction in meat consumption is promoted. For example, some people choose to eat meat only on special occasions, while others consume it sporadically, such as once a week.
Benefits and strategies for adopting the flexitarian diet
Adopting a flexitarian diet may seem challenging, especially for those accustomed to a diet rich in animal products. However, there are simple strategies to ease this transition. A good starting point is to increase your consumption of vegetables to two servings a day, not as a side dish, but as a main dish. Although the traditional Mediterranean diet includes many vegetables, current consumption has decreased.
Another key is to learn new ways to cook vegetables to avoid boredom. Prove Recipes like tempura, marinated, or baked vegetables can make vegetables more appealing. Additionally, cooking in large quantities and using the oven to prepare several dishes at once can save time and energy.
One initiative that has gained popularity is “Meatless Monday,” which encourages people to go meatless at least one day a week. This idea, which emerged during World War I to save meat for soldiers, was revitalized in 2003 with an environmental focus. These days, you can consume legumes, plant proteins such as tofu and tempeh, or even less impactful animal products such as eggs and fish.
Meat consumption not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, but also has a huge impact on water use. According to FAO data, producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water.
Comparatively, one kilogram of rye requires only 400 liters. This abysmal difference underlines the importance of reconsidering our eating habits based on resource consumption.
Furthermore, some Vegetable products such as avocado and mango also have a high water footprint. These crops, which are not native to many areas where they are now grown, are depleting local water reserves. For example, producing one kilogram of avocado requires around 1,800 liters of water.
Keep reading:
- 1 in 8 US adults have taken Ozempic or another weight loss medication
- WHO authorized the second vaccine against dengue
- A herpes cure advances in laboratory studies