New research conducted by Oxford University has shed light on the significant environmental impact of meat consumption. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of how our dietary choices affect the planet.&nbsp;

The study reveals that reducing meat consumption, particularly among heavy meat eaters, could yield substantial benefits for the environment, equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road.&nbsp;

Despite the meat industry's scepticism about the study's findings, the evidence calls for urgent action to address the environmental consequences of our dietary habits.

<h2>How high meat consumption leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions</h2>

The Oxford University study distinguishes between high-meat and low-meat diets, focusing on their respective greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;

Professor Peter Scarborough, leading the research, stresses that a notable reduction in meat intake among big meat eaters can significantly contribute to combating climate change.&nbsp;

The analysis takes into account the daily greenhouse gas emissions of different diet categories: High meat eaters produce an average of 10.24 kg of planet-warming gases per day, while low meat eaters generate nearly half that amount at 5.37 kg.&nbsp;

Vegan diets have the lowest impact, producing only 2.47 kg per day.

<h2>Other types of pollution associated with meat production</h2>

The research goes beyond assessing greenhouse gas emissions, analysing the detailed impact of diets on various environmental measures, including land use, water use, water pollution, and loss of species due to massive production of meat and other farming-related practices.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Climate impact labels could help people eat less red meat

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In all aspects, high meat eaters had significantly higher adverse impacts compared to other diet groups.

<h2>Meat industry objects</h2>

The meat industry has raised its objections against the study, which they say "is incomplete."

Nick Allen, CEO of the British Meat Processors Association said, ''One of the frustrations with a report like this is that it looks just at the emissions from livestock production. It doesn't take into account that carbon gets absorbed into the grassland, trees and hedgerows [on farms]. If they took those sums into account you would probably have a different picture,'' he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/slashing-meat-consumption-will-help-to-avoid-a-climate-crisis-new-study-claims-528687">Also read:&nbsp;Slashing meat consumption will help to avoid a climate crisis, new study claims</a>

However, Professor Scarborough and other studies counter this argument, suggesting that the impact of CO2 uptake by grasslands is modest in the overall equation.

<h2>A third of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production</h2>

The study aligns with a previous Nature Food publication, which attributed a third of global greenhouse gas emissions to food production.&nbsp;

Additionally, an independent review for the UK's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) proposed a 30 per cent reduction in meat consumption by 2032 to achieve the country's net-zero target.&nbsp;

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New research conducted by Oxford University has shed light on the significant environmental impact of meat consumption. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of how our dietary choices affect the planet.

New research conducted by Oxford University has shed light on the significant environmental impact of meat consumption. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of how our dietary choices affect the planet. The study reveals that reducing meat consumption, particularly among heavy meat eaters, could yield substantial benefits for the environment, equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road. Despite the meat industry's scepticism about the study's findings, the evidence calls for urgent action to address the environmental consequences of our dietary habits. How high meat consumption leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions The Oxford University study distinguishes between high-meat and low-meat diets, focusing on their respective greenhouse gas emissions. Professor Peter Scarborough, leading the research, stresses that a notable reduction in meat intake among big meat eaters can significantly contribute to combating climate change. The analysis takes into account the daily greenhouse gas emissions of different diet categories: High meat eaters produce an average of 10.24 kg of planet-warming gases per day, while low meat eaters generate nearly half that amount at 5.37 kg. Vegan diets have the lowest impact, producing only 2.47 kg per day. Other types of pollution associated with meat production The research goes beyond assessing greenhouse gas emissions, analysing the detailed impact of diets on various environmental measures, including land use, water use, water pollution, and loss of species due to massive production of meat and other farming-related practices. Watch: Climate impact labels could help people eat less red meat × In all aspects, high meat eaters had significantly higher adverse impacts compared to other diet groups. Meat industry objects The meat industry has raised its objections against the study, which they say "is incomplete." Nick Allen, CEO of the British Meat Processors Association said, ''One of the frustrations with a report like this is that it looks just at the emissions from livestock production. It doesn't take into account that carbon gets absorbed into the grassland, trees and hedgerows [on farms]. If they took those sums into account you would probably have a different picture,'' he said. Also read: Slashing meat consumption will help to avoid a climate crisis, new study claims However, Professor Scarborough and other studies counter this argument, suggesting that the impact of CO2 uptake by grasslands is modest in the overall equation. A third of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production The study aligns with a previous Nature Food publication, which attributed a third of global greenhouse gas emissions to food production. Additionally, an independent review for the UK's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) proposed a 30 per cent reduction in meat consumption by 2032 to achieve the country's net-zero target. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Reducing meat consumption equivalent to taking 8mn cars off road: Study

Figures from the German Agriculture Ministry show that meat consumption dropped to 52 kilogrammes per person in 2022, the lowest figure since calculations began in 1989. In comparison, the figure stood at around 61 kilogrammes per person just five years ago.

Meat consumption hits record low in Germany

New research claims that cutting meat consumption will help in tackling the climate crisis. If the world wants to avoid the worst effects of the climate problem, consumption should be decreased to the equivalent of around two hamburgers a week in the developed world.&nbsp;

As per the study, the consumption and production of meat contribute significantly to climate change, accounting for around a third of the UK's diet-related carbon emissions.&nbsp;

In order to reduce the environmental impact of food production, a report commissioned by the government last year found that people must eat 30 per cent less meat by the end of the decade.&nbsp;

In regions where meat consumption is high, daily meat consumption must drop to 79 kcal per person by 2030 (equivalent to two beef burgers per week) and 60 kcal by 2050 (1.5 beef burgers per week).&nbsp;

Apart from meat consumption, additional measures include accelerating the phase-out of coal as an energy source and a six-fold faster expansion of public transportation.&nbsp;

The new 200-page report, states that we need a five-fold increase in the rate at which we transition to healthier, more sustainable diets.&nbsp;

As quoted by Daily Mail, Ani Dasgupta, president and CEO of World Resources Institute, said: "This year, the world has seen the devastation wrought by just 1.1 degrees Celsius of warming."&nbsp;

"Every fraction of a degree matters in the fight to protect people and the planet. We are seeing important advances in the fight against climate change, but we are still not winning in any sector," Dasgupta added.&nbsp;

"The State of Climate Action 2022 is an urgent wakeup call for decision-makers to commit to real transformation across every aspect of our economy," Dasgupta said.&nbsp;

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New research claims that cutting meat consumption will help in tackling the climate crisis. If the world wants to avoid the worst effects of the climate problem, consumption should be decreased to the equivalent of around two hamburgers a week in the developed world.

New research claims that cutting meat consumption will help in tackling the climate crisis. If the world wants to avoid the worst effects of the climate problem, consumption should be decreased to the equivalent of around two hamburgers a week in the developed world. As per the study, the consumption and production of meat contribute significantly to climate change, accounting for around a third of the UK's diet-related carbon emissions. In order to reduce the environmental impact of food production, a report commissioned by the government last year found that people must eat 30 per cent less meat by the end of the decade. In regions where meat consumption is high, daily meat consumption must drop to 79 kcal per person by 2030 (equivalent to two beef burgers per week) and 60 kcal by 2050 (1.5 beef burgers per week). Apart from meat consumption, additional measures include accelerating the phase-out of coal as an energy source and a six-fold faster expansion of public transportation. The new 200-page report, states that we need a five-fold increase in the rate at which we transition to healthier, more sustainable diets. As quoted by Daily Mail, Ani Dasgupta, president and CEO of World Resources Institute, said: "This year, the world has seen the devastation wrought by just 1.1 degrees Celsius of warming." "Every fraction of a degree matters in the fight to protect people and the planet. We are seeing important advances in the fight against climate change, but we are still not winning in any sector," Dasgupta added. "The State of Climate Action 2022 is an urgent wakeup call for decision-makers to commit to real transformation across every aspect of our economy," Dasgupta said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Slashing meat consumption will help to avoid a climate crisis, new study claims

According to a new study, cutting meat consumption by 75% globally could help combat climate change. No, this does not imply that you must completely eliminate meat from your diet; rather, significant alterations are required.

The meat business has a huge environmental impact, and meat demand has only increased in recent decades, far beyond human dietary needs.

In a press release, Professor Dr&nbsp;Matin Qaim of the University of Bonn, the report's author, said that if all humans consumed as much meat as Europeans or North Americans, we would certainly miss the international climate targets and many ecosystems would collapse.

According to Qaim, we should cut our meat consumption in half, to 20 kilogrammes or fewer per year.&nbsp;

The new study, which was published in the journal Annual Review of Resource Economics on Monday, examines the economics of the meat business while also looking at the advantages it provides to society, our bodies, and the changing climate.

Affluent countries in North America, Oceania, and Europe consume the most meat per capita.&nbsp;

According to the analysis, meat demand will continue to rise until 2050. Despite the fact that excessive meat intake causes a slew of health problems, demand will continue to rise.

When compared to plant-based diets, meat produces more emissions. Furthermore, meat consumption is connected to increased deforestation and biodiversity loss, according to the study's authors.

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According to a new study, cutting meat consumption by 75% globally could help combat climate change. No, this does not imply that you must completely eliminate meat from your diet; rather, significant alterations are required.

According to a new study, cutting meat consumption by 75% globally could help combat climate change. No, this does not imply that you must completely eliminate meat from your diet; rather, significant alterations are required. The meat business has a huge environmental impact, and meat demand has only increased in recent decades, far beyond human dietary needs. In a press release, Professor Dr Matin Qaim of the University of Bonn, the report's author, said that if all humans consumed as much meat as Europeans or North Americans, we would certainly miss the international climate targets and many ecosystems would collapse. According to Qaim, we should cut our meat consumption in half, to 20 kilogrammes or fewer per year. The new study, which was published in the journal Annual Review of Resource Economics on Monday, examines the economics of the meat business while also looking at the advantages it provides to society, our bodies, and the changing climate. Affluent countries in North America, Oceania, and Europe consume the most meat per capita. According to the analysis, meat demand will continue to rise until 2050. Despite the fact that excessive meat intake causes a slew of health problems, demand will continue to rise. When compared to plant-based diets, meat produces more emissions. Furthermore, meat consumption is connected to increased deforestation and biodiversity loss, according to the study's authors. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Reducing meat consumption by 75% could aid in fight against climate change: Study

WWF has called on British farmers to cut meat and dairy production by a third in the next 10 years, adding that this is requisite if the country is to meet scientific recommendations on curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Due to the imported feed, even more cuts to the UK's pig and poultry herds may be necessary. People will need to consume much less meat than they do today, the charity warned.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mt-everests-2000-year-old-glacier-will-disappear-by-mid-century-warn-scientists-451624" hreflang="en">Mt. Everest's 2,000-year-old glacier will disappear by mid-century, warn scientists</a>

According to the <a href="https://www.wwf.org.uk/basket-metric/climate-change">report</a>, this would result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, a countryside with a greater diversity of wildlife, and better health.

The chief executive of WWF, Tanya Steele, said that agriculture and land use cannot be ignored when it comes to the twin threats of climate change and nature loss. Many UK farmers are already working on producing food sustainably, but they cannot fix a broken system by themselves.

The methane produced by livestock and the carbon associated with the feed they eat are two of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. WWF argues that the UK needs to reduce its imports of soy by about a fifth by 2030, as it is linked to deforestation and the overuse of fertilisers overseas.

Ammonia from livestock manure is also responsible for air pollution, and the government has pledged to tackle this.

However, farmers argued that the UK's livestock production is less carbon-intensive than overseas alternatives.

Deputy President of the National Farmers Union, Stuart Roberts, said that UK farmers can maintain domestic food production, including the production of nutritious meat and dairy products while delivering the necessary environmental and climate benefits.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-top-companies-failing-to-meet-their-own-targets-on-tackling-climate-change-451243" hreflang="en">World's top companies failing to meet their own targets on tackling climate change</a>

British products are often the most sustainable option since more than 90 per cent of UK households still prefer to buy high-quality red meat and cheese, he added.

According to him, the UK's climate is ideal for the production of beef and dairy products, and emissions from their production in the UK are less than half what it is around the world.&nbsp;

He said that cutting sustainable production would only export the country's carbon footprint to other countries that don't meet its high environmental standards and risk, reducing food imports.

According to George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, only 10 per cent of the UK's CO2e emissions are attributed to agriculture. Over half of the UK's emissions come from transport and energy.&nbsp;

Rob Percival, the director of food and policy at the Soil Association, recommended that British households cut their meat consumption while buying higher quality meat.

He said grazing cattle is good for soil health and nature, but big cuts in the production of poultry are necessary. This is because cheap chicken production leads to pollution of rivers in the UK, and deforestation in South America as a result of imported soy.

Watch |&nbsp;Plastic pollution rising at an alarming rate, affecting 88% of marine species

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He urged the government to reject post-Brexit trade deals that would open the door to low-welfare food with a high carbon footprint.

Food waste is another major issue, and the WWF says it must be halved by 2030. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, households made notable progress in cutting food waste, but the rejection of "imperfect" but edible food by supermarkets, is a major cause of food waste.

Another of the report's recommendations was to reduce the use of artificial fertilisers by implementing precision techniques and discontinuing the use of nitrogen fertilisers wherever possible.&nbsp;

WWF has called on British farmers to cut meat and dairy production by a third in the next 10 years, adding that this is requisite if the country is to meet scientific recommendations on curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

WWF has called on British farmers to cut meat and dairy production by a third in the next 10 years, adding that this is requisite if the country is to meet scientific recommendations on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Due to the imported feed, even more cuts to the UK's pig and poultry herds may be necessary. People will need to consume much less meat than they do today, the charity warned. Also read | Mt. Everest's 2,000-year-old glacier will disappear by mid-century, warn scientists According to the report, this would result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, a countryside with a greater diversity of wildlife, and better health. The chief executive of WWF, Tanya Steele, said that agriculture and land use cannot be ignored when it comes to the twin threats of climate change and nature loss. Many UK farmers are already working on producing food sustainably, but they cannot fix a broken system by themselves. The methane produced by livestock and the carbon associated with the feed they eat are two of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. WWF argues that the UK needs to reduce its imports of soy by about a fifth by 2030, as it is linked to deforestation and the overuse of fertilisers overseas. Ammonia from livestock manure is also responsible for air pollution, and the government has pledged to tackle this. However, farmers argued that the UK's livestock production is less carbon-intensive than overseas alternatives. Deputy President of the National Farmers Union, Stuart Roberts, said that UK farmers can maintain domestic food production, including the production of nutritious meat and dairy products while delivering the necessary environmental and climate benefits. Also read | World's top companies failing to meet their own targets on tackling climate change British products are often the most sustainable option since more than 90 per cent of UK households still prefer to buy high-quality red meat and cheese, he added. According to him, the UK's climate is ideal for the production of beef and dairy products, and emissions from their production in the UK are less than half what it is around the world. He said that cutting sustainable production would only export the country's carbon footprint to other countries that don't meet its high environmental standards and risk, reducing food imports. According to George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, only 10 per cent of the UK's CO2e emissions are attributed to agriculture. Over half of the UK's emissions come from transport and energy. Rob Percival, the director of food and policy at the Soil Association, recommended that British households cut their meat consumption while buying higher quality meat. He said grazing cattle is good for soil health and nature, but big cuts in the production of poultry are necessary. This is because cheap chicken production leads to pollution of rivers in the UK, and deforestation in South America as a result of imported soy. Watch | Plastic pollution rising at an alarming rate, affecting 88% of marine species He urged the government to reject post-Brexit trade deals that would open the door to low-welfare food with a high carbon footprint. Food waste is another major issue, and the WWF says it must be halved by 2030. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, households made notable progress in cutting food waste, but the rejection of "imperfect" but edible food by supermarkets, is a major cause of food waste. Another of the report's recommendations was to reduce the use of artificial fertilisers by implementing precision techniques and discontinuing the use of nitrogen fertilisers wherever possible.

Reduced meat consumption, livestock & more; here is what the WWF recommends for curbing greenhouse emissions

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment.

As humanity grapples with tough choices to offset a rapidly heating planet, the research suggests that the Western world would need to slash its meat intake by 90 percent to avoid crippling Earth's ability to sustain an anticipated 10 billion people by 2050.&nbsp;

Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change.&nbsp;

A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature offers the most comprehensive look yet at just how bad intensive agriculture is for the planet.&nbsp;

Without a huge drawdown in the amount of meat consumed, its authors said, the food industry's already vast impact on the environment could increase by as much as 90 percent by mid-century.&nbsp;

That coupled with a sharp projected rise in global population would devastate mankind's ability to effectively feed itself -- and dash any realistic hope of curbing runaway global warming.

The scientists called for a "global shift" towards more plant-based diets, slashing food waste and improving farming practices with the aid of technology to cope with the burden.

"No single solution is enough to avoid crossing planetary boundaries," said Marco Springmann of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food and the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, who led the study.

"But when the solutions are implemented together, our research indicates that it may be possible to feed the growing population sustainably."

The stark message comes just days after the publication of a landmark UN report in which some of the world's most eminent climate scientists warned that governments must fundamentally change course in order to keep global warming under 1.5C by the end of the century.&nbsp;

Experts argue that cutting meat consumption is one obvious way that citizens can do their bit for the climate, even as world leaders are locked in discussions over what precisely should be done to rein in the effects of a warming planet.&nbsp;

Ditch the steak

Livestock farming poses a triple threat to Earth's atmosphere, as animals produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, coupled with the loss of carbon-absorbing forests that are felled to accommodate their grazing areas.&nbsp;

In addition, immense amounts of water are needed to sustain the livestock -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water.

Wednesday's report said halving the amount of food that is wasted or lost to poor management alone could reduce the environment fallout by 16 percent.&nbsp;

It pointed to better education, industry reform and improved efficiency as ways towards tackling the problem.&nbsp;

"When it comes to diets, comprehensive policy and business approaches are essential to make dietary changes towards healthy and more plant-based diets possible and attractive for a large number of people," Springmann said.

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment.

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment. As humanity grapples with tough choices to offset a rapidly heating planet, the research suggests that the Western world would need to slash its meat intake by 90 percent to avoid crippling Earth's ability to sustain an anticipated 10 billion people by 2050. Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change. A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature offers the most comprehensive look yet at just how bad intensive agriculture is for the planet. Without a huge drawdown in the amount of meat consumed, its authors said, the food industry's already vast impact on the environment could increase by as much as 90 percent by mid-century. That coupled with a sharp projected rise in global population would devastate mankind's ability to effectively feed itself -- and dash any realistic hope of curbing runaway global warming. The scientists called for a "global shift" towards more plant-based diets, slashing food waste and improving farming practices with the aid of technology to cope with the burden. "No single solution is enough to avoid crossing planetary boundaries," said Marco Springmann of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food and the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, who led the study. "But when the solutions are implemented together, our research indicates that it may be possible to feed the growing population sustainably." The stark message comes just days after the publication of a landmark UN report in which some of the world's most eminent climate scientists warned that governments must fundamentally change course in order to keep global warming under 1.5C by the end of the century. Experts argue that cutting meat consumption is one obvious way that citizens can do their bit for the climate, even as world leaders are locked in discussions over what precisely should be done to rein in the effects of a warming planet. Ditch the steak Livestock farming poses a triple threat to Earth's atmosphere, as animals produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, coupled with the loss of carbon-absorbing forests that are felled to accommodate their grazing areas. In addition, immense amounts of water are needed to sustain the livestock -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water. Wednesday's report said halving the amount of food that is wasted or lost to poor management alone could reduce the environment fallout by 16 percent. It pointed to better education, industry reform and improved efficiency as ways towards tackling the problem. "When it comes to diets, comprehensive policy and business approaches are essential to make dietary changes towards healthy and more plant-based diets possible and attractive for a large number of people," Springmann said.

World must slash meat consumption to save climate: Study

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