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By eta vegan, 4 benefits for the planet
7 November 2023
The growing awareness of environmental issues has led many people to reflect on their daily habits and lifestyle choices, increasingly encouraging them towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. One choice that is gaining ground is to adopt a vegan diet, not only for ethical and health reasons, but also for the significant benefits it brings to our planet.
Let’s explore the four main environmental benefits of a vegan diet, highlighted by recent studies.
The study showing how the vegan diet is good for the planet: the most important benefits
A major study, conducted in 2018 by Oxford University and published in Science, stated that adopting a plant-based diet is the best way for an individual to reduce their environmental footprint. This research emphasised the importance of conscious food choices to combat climate change and preserve our planet’s resources. Let us now take a closer look at what are the 4 biggest benefits to the planet if we adopt as plant-based a diet as possible.
1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Raising animals for human consumption is resource-intensive and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, farm animals produce a large amount of methane, a gas that has a much higher impact on climate change than carbon dioxide. Adopting a vegan diet helps reduce these emissions from intensive livestock farming, thus limiting the impact of our diet on climate change.
2. Reducing land use
Animal agriculture requires a large amount of land, both for rearing the animals themselves and for producing their food. A reduction in the consumption of animal products is the first step to promote a more sustainable and rational use of the earth’s resources and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
3. Avoiding pollution
Animal farming also produces a huge amount of waste, which often ends up contaminating soil and groundwater. Opting for a plant-based diet reduces pollution from waste produced by livestock farming, helping to preserve the quality of the environment and aquatic resources.
4. Saving water
Speaking of water, one should not forget that the production of food of animal origin requires much more water than that of vegetable origin. For example, to produce one kilogram of beef requires about 15,000 litres of water, while to produce one kilogram of tofu requires only 2,000 litres. By reducing the consumption of animal products, we contribute significantly to saving our planet’s precious water resources.
Adopting a vegan diet, therefore, is not only an ethical and healthy choice, but also represents a significant commitment to safeguarding our planet. The food choices we make every day have a direct impact on the environment in which we live, and opting for a plant-based diet can help us build a more sustainable and Earth-friendly future. Through conscious and sustainable choices, we can all help make a difference and leave a healthier planet for future generations.