The need for sustainability action has greatly contributed to bringing to the forefront “veganism,” which dates back to the existence of man. In past times, veganism was adopted due to cultural and spiritual beliefs in places like Jamaica, Ethiopia, India, and Israel. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reported a global 30% rise in veganism since the early 2000s, which is associated with health, environmental, and ethical reasons.
With great emphasis, veganism differs from vegetarianism. A vegan excludes meat from their diet, including animal products like milk, cheese, and eggs. This way of life is primarily predicated on cultural beliefs or environmental consciousness. On the other hand, a vegetarian is one whose diet is primarily from plant sources, and milk, eggs, and cheese can be included in their diet. Vegetarianism has been adopted primarily due to its health benefits.
Vegans have been acclaimed as major contributors to sustainable food systems, thereby saving our planet in terms of economy and environment. Moreover, UK statistics show that global meat consumption has increased since 1960, accounting for 300 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. Other claims point to the unsustainable use of resources in the production of meat. Thus, putting meat eaters in a bad light, as their actions are perceived as being indifferent to the planet.
The question remains. Are vegans truly saving the planet, while meat eaters are destroying it? This article will debunk the myths of veganism with regard to their impact on our planet.
Myths associated with veganism
The argument for the best diet choice for our planet focuses on the impact of production. That is crop production for vegans and livestock production for meat lovers. The following are myths associated with crop production:
Myth 1: Crop production conserves our water resources.
While it has been established that livestock uses large amounts of water to produce the calories required for humans, research has revealed that over 90% of this water is green water derived from rain and not our groundwater sources. Crop production, however, requires 70% of groundwater. In fact, in places like Chile and California, where bountiful crops are produced despite being accustomed to droughts, crops use up a vast amount of water from the reserves. This accounts for a greater amount of water usage compared to livestock production.
Myth 2: Crop production saves agricultural land.
This points an accusing finger at livestock production for taking up about 80% of agricultural land. While this is true, it says nothing about the reason for this use. Research shows that two-quarters of agricultural land is unfit for crop production and best suited for livestock. This is to say that these lands occupied by livestock would otherwise be unused in the absence of livestock, as crops cannot thrive on these lands due to a lack of nutrients or the unsuitable topography of the land.
Myth 3: Crop production produces no emissions.
Crop waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as methane is released from organic decomposition. FAO reports that one-third of the world’s food production ends up as waste, with crop production accounting for about 82% of food waste which releases methane into the atmosphere. On the other hand, while livestock produces methane through their digestion process, it is part of a cycle, and no new carbon is added to the atmosphere when efficient production is maintained.
Explaining this cycle, plants make their food by utilising carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. Livestock takes up this carbon in their diet and converts it to methane through their digestion process. The methane in their digestive systems is released into the atmosphere through their burps. This methane in the atmosphere is later converted to carbon dioxide and water used during photosynthesis by plants, and the cycle repeats. So, unlike fossil fuels, which add greenhouse gases not previously present in the atmosphere, efficient livestock production has no significant emissions.
Myth 4: Crop production produces edible human food, which livestock feed on.
Crops contain non-edible parts that livestock can consume to produce nutrient-rich sources for humans. Moreso, crops eaten by livestock are 80% non-edible, according to research done under the FAO. In retrospect, livestock consumes these non-edible crops and waste from edible crops, like the husk from corn, and turns it into industrial products that can create revenue for a nation. These animals also play a key role in crop production, producing up to half of the organic fertilisers that are used in growing these organic crops.
Conclusion
In saving our planet, our diet choices should be sustainable, and regional differences should be considered.
Food makes up a large percentage of our organic waste, and resources used up in the production process are thereby wasted. As such, strategies should be deployed for efficient resource usage in food production with minimal food waste.
In addition, diet choices predicated on environmental impact should be more relative than they should be viewed on a global scale. Regions with better weather and soil conditions are likely to have a more plant-based diet than African regions with better conditions for livestock production.
Furthermore, regions should consider their relative carbon footprints when mitigating climate impacts. For instance, in developed countries, where fossil fuels are the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions, cutting down on fossil fuels will be more significant than focusing on the less-contributing agricultural sector. Whereas, in most developing regions, more efficient agricultural practices will have a significant effect on the reduction of global emissions.
In short, everyone does not need to go vegan; rather, a more balanced approach should be taken in ensuring the sustainability of our planet.