Written by Nerissa Demetriou - Editor: Vivien Kovacs
Welcome back! In the last article, we unpacked how plant-based diets can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and promote food security. Now, let’s address some common questions and misconceptions about sustainable eating.
Many people think that opting for sustainably sourced meat and dairy can help avoid the negative impacts of animal agriculture. Whilst buying from your local grass-fed farms can help reduce some negative impacts of animal agriculture, such as improving soil health, it still neglects the most crucial concerns of the industry.
Even the most sustainably run farms require substantial resources like land, water, and feed. Consequently, the production of animal products remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. In fact, studies confirm that avoiding animal products altogether offers far better environmental benefits than trying to purchase sustainable meat and dairy.
Avocadoes, soy and almonds. What do all of these have in common? They are all staples you can find in every vegan`s weekly grocery bag. Aside from a satirical pun, it is often discussed as an incongruent aspect in connection with a plant-based diet`s virtues towards sustainability. But for all the widespread wit that comes along with this stereotyped image of a vegan`s vast avocado and almond consumption, how frank is this stereotype? Besides, is soy actually worse for the environment than animal products?
To answer the first question, we must establish that there is no existing verified data about vegans consuming more avocados or almonds post their shift to a plant-based diet. In actuality, research recognizes that nutritionally-dense alternatives to animal products include a variety of staples such as legumes and grains all of which are ranked as having a low environmental impact. Moreover, individuals adopting a plant-based diet for sustainability reasons can avoid products like almonds and avocados, opting for more sustainable alternatives instead. For instance, almond milk can be replaced with other more sustainable plant-based milk options. Furthermore, when it comes to demystifying soy`s sustainability, studies show that soy requires less water to produce and ranks as one of the lowest contributors to GHGEs per unit of protein produced.
However, concerns still remain around soy`s role in deforestation. Nonetheless, although soy is frequently regarded as an essential protein source in plant-based diets, approximately 75% of soy by weight is actually used as feed for livestock in animal agriculture. Correspondingly, the rise in soy production and its processing parallels the increasing demand for animal products. Ultimately, scientists have ascertained that even the lowest-impact meat and dairy products still cause significantly more environmental harm than the least sustainable vegetable and cereal farming.
Shouldn't we hold industries like fossil fuels accountable instead of focusing on changing the diets of billions of people?
A well-trodden question, sure. While the fossil fuel industry is one of the leading contributors to global greenhouse emission and should be held equally accountable, our current food system also has a dire impact on our environment. The reality is, that without a significant and urgent shift in global meat consumption, agriculture alone will exhaust the entire world’s carbon budget necessary to keep global temperature rise under 2 °C by 2050, even if all other sectors achieve zero greenhouse emissions.
“Many people understand that fossil fuels are a major source of greenhouse gases, however far fewer people are aware that what we eat -animal products specifically- contribute enormously (even more than all the cars, planes, and ships in the world) to climate change, sea-level rise, ocean acidification and dead zones, and global extinction rates.” - Hunnes, D.E., 2022
At the same time, whether considering resource availability or even people`s ingrained habits, influencing the diet choices of billions of people may seem like a Sisyphean task. Unquestionably, the demographic being appealed to rethink their diets are those who have the privilege of access to a variety of foods, and not those in resource-scarce regions who rely on specific staples and limited trade. To illustrate, if you are someone who can walk into a supermarket and choose between chicken breast or legumes, you belong to the demographic that possesses a privilege of choice. Research also acknowledges that legumes, tofu and grains are among the most affordable and accessible foods, and have historically persisted as staples even in the most low-income countries.
Regardless, food is a universal connector and it is intricately linked to our emotions. Our cherished childhood memories carry the smells and flavours of our favourite dishes. Changing these deeply embedded habits can be a process in and of itself. However, adapting your favourite dishes to new, scrumptious alternatives can be a creative culinary journey that unlocks new flavour palettes and warm memories. If that sounds too daunting, do not worry! Check out the upcoming section for vegan starter kits.
Conclusively, individual actions have a significant impact through the power of supply and demand. We, as consumers, dictate which industries thrive and what structures are promoted in our society. By making informed choices, we can collectively support a paradigm that advocates for sustainable industries and development.
Kudos! We've journeyed through the extensive data in the previous articles—first, we discussed the environmental impacts of animal agriculture, and then, we examined the mitigating effects of plant-based diets. Consider yourself informed! In honour of that, here is a picture of some cute cows that I stumbled upon sunbathing by a river in the Netherlands:
The transition to a more sustainable food system is a collective mission, summoning industries and governments, as well as scientists and individuals alike, to play their part in fostering environmental protection and ethical consumption.
That is what brings us to the list of initiatives that address different areas of this transition:
Free Vegan Starter kits:
Aims to pressure national governments to negotiate an international treaty alongside the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. They develop local teams to advocate for plant-based food strategies, through diverse initiatives, such as carbon labelling and educational playbooks. Individuals can join through their website, either by supporting or initiating city-based Plant Based Treaties.
A food awareness organization committed to transforming the global food system. Recognized by the UN and collaborating with key UN food and environment agencies, ProVeg operates in 12 countries across four continents. With the mission to replace 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040, they aim to create a food system that benefits humans, animals, and the planet.
Promotes policies at European and national levels that support plant-based foods and recognize their essential role in transitioning to sustainable food systems. The Alliance encompasses the whole plant-based value chain, including food producers, manufacturers, NGOs, nutritionists, researchers, academia, and consumers.
Do you envision a world where meeting our needs doesn't come at the expense of future generations? Do you aspire to see industries and policies that honour our environment?
If you answered yes, you are already a sustainability advocate. Yet, being conscious of our consumer choices—whether it’s what we put on our plates or what we wear—has, in a way, become more of an emblem of a small radical group, a trademark of a minority.
What I am trying to capture is that rethinking our plates and being mindful about what industries we fund has never been a radical action. It is about aligning our choices with our values and our aspirations for what we wish to see from our industries, corporations, and world leaders. It is about moral consistency—practicing what we preach and reaping what we sow.
So, when I ask you what you wish to see from the world, I hope to inspire you to rethink: Do your actions align with this aspired vision?
Assigning accountability to ourselves as consumers can be perceived as a responsibility. However, I intend to reframe this notion, as I struggle to see it reduced to just that, for aligning our actions with our principles is also empowering. Besides, as individuals, what is our role in the grand scheme of things? How do we get to voice and define our expectations from our industries?
There is power in our choices and in what we purchase, just as much power as there is in the suppliers, for it is a codependent relationship. But this power and its full impact can only be actualised when we collectively commit to reflecting our expectations through our actions. In fact, to change the status quo, we need more than just a small minority fighting for transformational change.
So, whether you decide to start off with Veganuary, and work your way up to meatless Mondays, whatever it is, it is a step in the right direction. After all, we do not need a small group of “perfect” vegans overnight, we need a proactive and committed majority that plays their part in the journey towards the collective pursuit of a sustainable future.
Beyond food choices, share this article, commit to learning more about sustainable living, support local initiatives, sign petitions, share your knowledge and passion about sustainability with your circle, and most importantly: address the elephant in the room. Do not leave animal agriculture out of the environmental awareness conversation.
Essentially, if we have the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives without causing harm to animals or the environment, why wouldn't we take it?