UN urges major changes in global diet
“Animal products cause more damage than [producing] construction minerals such as sand or cement, plastics or metals. Biomass and crops for animals are as damaging as [burning] fossil fuels.”
– Professor Edgar Hertwich, lead report author
UN urges global move to meat and dairy-free diet – guardian.co.uk
The fact that the UN would conclude that a meat-free diet would help curb our effects on the environment should not come as a surprise to many of you, but I do suggest looking into the research further. The UN reported similar findings previously in regards to greenhouse gas emissions from cattle, and their methods were disputed. So, if you have the chance, it never hurts to check the source to form your own opinion.
Although the link referenced in the Guardian piece appears to be broken currently, I believe these articles are connected:
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production (report, PDF) – UNEP
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production (flyer, PDF) – UNEP
Whether or not the report ends up being disputed, it is great to see more coverage on the harmful effects our food choices (as well as other areas of consumption) are causing on the world around us.
