Scientists from the University of Minnesota (USA) have published a study proposing a global change in the human diet to improve the ecological situation on the planet.
The study , released to the public after its publication in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Research Letters (published by IOP Publishing since 2006), is titled "A Comparative Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Production Systems, Agricultural Resource Efficiency, and Food Choices." Its authors are emeritus university professor, winner of a number of scientific awards and "the most cited environmental scientist of the decade" (according to Essential Science Indicators for 2000) George David Tilman (G. David Tilman), specializing in the environmental impacts of mankind, biodiversity, competition for resources and ecosystems, and PhD Michael Clark of the University of Minnesota.
As part of their study, the scientists analyzed 742 agricultural systems producing more than 90 types of food. When calculating the impact of food production on the environment, not only its mass was taken into account, but also the calorie content, the amount of protein and American norms for the required daily food intake.
Among the results obtained in the study:
- harm to the environment (cumulative of the five indicators measured: greenhouse gas emissions, land use, fossil fuel consumption for energy needed, potential eutrophication, oxidation potential):
- the smallest - in food of plant origin,
- medium - in eggs, dairy products, pork, poultry, fish without trawling, aquaculture without recirculation technologies;
- the production of ruminant meat causes 100 times more environmental damage compared to plant foods;
- fishing without trawling results in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to trawling (i.e. driving a large seine across the bottom to catch fish);
- Organic food production systems require more land and cause more eutrophication, consume less energy, emit about the same amount of greenhouse gases as conventional systems.
Summing up in the introduction to their publication, the authors state the following:
Our analyzes show that dietary changes towards food with low environmental impact and increases in agricultural resource use efficiency will provide greater environmental benefits than switching from traditional farming systems to alternatives such as organic farming and grass-fed beef [ instead of grain.
See also anekdotig:
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- Newsletter: "For the good of the environment: German Environment Minister bans meat at official events" (February 25, 2017)
- Newsletter: " Climatarians - a new trend in ecology and nutrition " (August 19, 2016)
- 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)
- Article: “ Why and how does animal husbandry harm the environment? »
- Article: " How to switch to vegetarianism: the path to natural harmony ."
- Tip: " Organize a day without meat and animal products " (September 14, 2015)