Climate change has become a widely spoken topic today. Changes in the climate are occurring in an unprecedented and irreversible manner at present. Nevertheless, it is a hopeful sign that many have adopted planet-friendly lifestyles thanks to the widespread awareness of the detrimental effects of climate change and the need for action.
Although people have become more environmentally friendly in many aspects of their life, their dietary practices still account for global warming, regardless of the fact that the same causes many non-communicable diseases.
The rapid increase in population over the past decades have led to increased food production in the world. Moreover, many factors such as the advancement of technology, urbanisation and societal transformation have largely contributed to the changes in the traditional way of eating which were more environmentally friendly and healthy.
Today, the tendency of consuming more junk food, foods and drinks high in sugar, salt, oil, chemicals and toxic substances has drastically increased. A vast majority of the world population has switched their dietary patterns from plant-based traditional diets to modern diets rich in animal protein and calories which in fact are unhealthy for the health of people and the planet.
The developmental activities across the globe have caused global warming. Among other detrimental impacts, biodiversity loss and pollution are not ignorable. Like the developmental activities, modern dietary habits of people and the food industry as a whole are unsustainable.
What’s the beef?
Food production in the world has caused the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. A vast expanse of land is cleared annually for increased food production. Deforestation for commercial agriculture is accelerating. Global wheat production has risen as refined wheat flour is abundantly used in preparing unhealthy yet globally popular foods.
As per United Nations’ reports, a quarter of greenhouse gases are emitted from the commercial agriculture industry and livestock is one of the main contributors.
UN reports state that carbon dioxide emission from the global livestock is 7.1 Gigatons. Cattle reared for meat and milk causes the emission of a high amount of greenhouse gases which is 65 percent of the emissions from the global livestock sector. Forests are cleared for preparing grasslands for the cattle reared for commercial beef and milk production. The high water consumption by the cattle makes potable water even more inaccessible for humans. The use of fossil fuel across the supply chains of beef production causes 20 percent of the emission of the livestock sector.
However, poultry products such as chicken and egg cause lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In the decades to come, the population is expected to rise so is the production of food. Emissions of greenhouse gases too are expected to rise due to commercial production of food such as meat. Increased consumption of red meat can pose a threat to human health.
Increased consumption of junk food and other foods prepared with refined wheat flour has led to an increased obesity rate in people. Non- communicable diseases such as diabetes are rising. Cardiovascular diseases such as heart diseases and high blood pressure are also on the rise among the global population. Heart diseases have caused many a premature death and the main reason for that is detrimental dietary practices.
Research has found that when a person takes more plant-based diets than animal-based ones, his health increases remarkably. It does not mean that he should become a vegan or a vegetarian, but cutting back on animal protein is necessary for the health of people and the planet.
Red meat and processed meat are high in calories and can damage health. Many are of the view that animal-based food is the main source of protein. However, it is advisable to take at least 50-60g of protein a day as an average for a healthy person. Plant-based proteins are as effective as animal proteins. Switching to plant-based protein such as pulses is a wise decision to protect people’s health as well as the planet’s health.
Reports state that 100g of red meat causes 180 times of emission of greenhouse gases than 100g of pulses such as chickpea, green gram or horse gram. Red meat and dairy products contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases at an alarming rate.
Promoting more plant-based and traditional diets can promote both human’s as well as the planet’s health.
Sri Lankans ate sustainably
Sri Lankans boast of a sustainable and planet-friendly food tradition. Enriched with the principles of Buddhism, people led righteous lives. The food tradition of the inhabitants of this island was largely influenced by Buddhism. As destroying the lives of animals are regarded a sin as per the teachings of Buddhism, people were reluctant to kill an animal to give a feast to their tongues. They respected every living being. They maintained a harmonious rapport with nature.
Sri Lanka has an agriculture-based economy. In the past, the livelihood of the people was based on agriculture and the country was self-sufficient. Agro-chemicals were alien to this land and people adopted more environmentally friendly methods for cultivating their crops. The traditional way of producing food caused no harm to the environment as well as to the health of people.
They ate a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and led active lifestyles to burn the calories they take. Hence, their life expectancy was high.
Nutritionists advise that a person should consume more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and fish than meat and dairy products to be healthy. It is important to cut back on red meat, food made of refined wheat flour, poultry and dairy. Traditionally, Sri Lankans had a food tradition that promoted health and longevity which is opposed to the modern dietary patterns of the people.
Modern dietary practices not only damage the health of people but also the health of the planet.
Healthful food is medicine. Cutting back on animal-based food is recommended to lead a healthy life which indirectly leads to a healthier planet. A person who is already having an unhealthy dietary habit of consuming more animal-based food such as red meat, processed meat, dairy products and processed dairy products in comparison to vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and pulses, can begin to incorporate more of the latter in his plate and gradually cut back on the unhealthy food.
Eating locally available and organic food is a healthy option for both a person’s health as well as the planet’s health. Large scale commercial food production damages the environment and such foods are not healthy.
Fruits, vegetables, grains and pulses that are grown locally are the best for health. Seasonal foods provide energy and nutrients required for the body to sustain during that season. Many seasonal fruits and vegetables are naturally grown and require fewer resources. Some need no human intervention. Such produce is very planet-friendly as well as promotes health.
Packaging of food creates a carbon footprint. Packaged food is often processed with harmful chemicals. Hence, they can damage the health of a person as well the planet. Plastic wrappers and boxes cause environmental damage. Taking a cloth bag whenever you go to the market reduces your carbon footprint when the use of packaging is limited.
Dr. Naveen De Soysa is the Assistant Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Registrar in Community Medicine at the National Institute of Health Sciences. Panchamee Hewavissenti is a culinary researcher and recipe creator