Another study , calculating the extent of harm from animal products, was presented by scientists from the UK and the USA. This time they predicted a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the introduction of a tax on different types of food: meat, dairy products, eggs, oils, cereals, vegetables.
The Potential Improving and Global Health Impact of Emissions-Adjusted Food Prices study was published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change (Accepted October 11, appeared online November 7, 2016). It was conducted jointly by representatives of the Oxford Martin Program on the Future of Food of the University of Oxford (UK) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) (Washington, USA). Its authors propose to introduce a tax on food with two goals: a) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions leading to global warming; b) reduce human mortality due to various diseases including obesity.
To do this, the researchers calculated which taxes on different types of meat (beef, lamb and pork) and other food products will provoke a decrease in their consumption due to the high cost and lead to positive changes in the environment and health. In fact, this work is the world's first global study examining the impact of taxes on meat and milk, which have been discussed for a long time. And the most significant indicators were obtained in the study of animal products. For example, a 40% tax on beef worldwide is expected to reduce beef consumption by 13% and offset the effects on the planet's climate. In second place in terms of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions was milk, for which the authors proposed a tax of 21%. The total impact on the amount of emissions from other types of food (they are led by the "oil" group) is about 13%.
The introduction of a tax on all studied types of food will lead to a reduction in global mortality by 107 thousand people by 2020 - mainly due to a decrease in consumption of red meat (obesity/overweight factor is much less significant). Using the proceeds from this tax to lower the price of fruits and vegetables would save 492,000 lives.
Clearly, if we don't do something about our food system's [greenhouse gas] emissions, we won't have a chance to limit climate change to two degrees Celsius [under the Paris Climate Agreement ]. But if you have to pay 40% more for a steak, you will most likely only eat it once a week, not twice.[..]Imposing taxes on food can be a policy that promotes better health and reduces climate change in high- and middle-income countries and most low-affluence countries.
Despite the positive effects on both diet and greenhouse gas emissions, governments will have to work hard to win consumer support for a meat and dairy tax, especially at a time when inflationary pressures from the pound's sharp fall are mounting. [..] The agricultural industry will increasingly be seen as one of the important contributors to global emissions, which has so far managed to elude the attention that other areas such as transport have received.
See also anekdotig:
- News: " UN proposes to improve the environment by introducing a tax on meat production " (May 27, 2016)
- Newsletter: " Scientists from Oxford calculate how global vegetarianism and veganism will help health and ecology " (March 22, 2016)
- Newsletter: " World Health Organization recommends reducing consumption of red and processed meat " (October 27, 2015)
- Article: “ Why and how does animal husbandry harm the environment? »
- Tip: " Organize a day without meat and animal products " (September 14, 2015)