The impact that we have on our planet has never been better understood. There are plenty of steps you can take to make your carbon footprint a little lighter and ultimately have a positive impact on the world around you. But there is always more that we can do! So today, we'll be focusing on plant based diets and how they support the environment much better than animal based diets do. This isn't us preaching or trying to shove the latest fad diet down your throat, it's simply our way of raising some awareness around the good you can do if you switch diets to one that's a little kinder to our planet. So without further ado, let's look at the benefits!
Less Water Usage
Plants need water to grow, so this can't be true, right? Well, you might be surprised to hear that on average fruit and vegetables require much less water to produce than animal products do. For a quick comparison, one ton of vegetables consumes around 11,300 gallons of water. For one ton of fruit, it's around 38,000 gallons. Now that's a lot, of course it is. But when you compare it to animal products, it really is minuscule.
One ton of pork takes around 121,000 gallons, beef 145,000 gallons, and butter around 122,000 gallons! So ton for ton, a plant based or vegan diet is much kinder on our planet's natural resources of water. Largely, this is because livestock need drinking water, water for bathing, and water in their feed. But even slaughtering animals takes a lot of water, so suddenly those numbers make a lot more sense.
Smaller Carbon Footprint
Green house gas emissions are directly related to rising global temperatures, which result in natural disasters, extinction of species, and threats to our homes and livelihoods. It really is that dire. What many people don't know, is that animal agriculture is a huge contributor to that. Looking solely at U.S. numbers for a moment, agriculture (of both plants and animals) account for around 10% of the country's total green house gas emissions. Of this, animal agriculture makes up 66%. That's the majority.
By switching to a plant based diet, you are making a small step in the right direction. Will it fix the world overnight? Certainly not. But we have to start somewhere, and starting small is a much easier choice to make. It's a simple enough change for us all to implement, even if we opt for plant based meals gradually. You don't have to change your diet immediately, but gradual changes are still changes worth making, so why not give it a go?!
Better For You Too!
If all of that didn't convince you, than maybe this will. Not only is it kinder to the planet, but it's better for you too. It's healthier for you in terms of the essential nutrients that are so often lacking in animal products, but it's also better for your mind. Plant based diets can lead to better mental health, brain function, and feelings of self-confidence. Saving the planet is one hell of a motivator, of course, but if you can help yourself too, then why shouldn't you try a vegan diet? Who knows, maybe it'll make a difference to more than just our planet?