Khaberni - Relying on environmentally unsustainable foods, such as red meat, contributes to a climate crisis that leads to casualties due to floods, storms, and other natural disasters, whose likelihood is increased by climate change. Therefore, authors of a new study call for change.
The global food production is responsible for about 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the "Eat-Lancet" Commission, accusing humanity of failing to address a critical issue related to the climate crisis.
Even if we succeed in shifting global energy away from fossil fuels, our current food systems will prevent us from limiting global warming to a target of keeping Earth's temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as warned by the group.
Meanwhile, researchers have noticed that while wealthy nations consume a larger share of their food with high carbon emissions, billions of people lack access to healthy nutrition.
The authors of the new study wrote: "More than half of the world's population struggles to access healthy dietary systems, leading to severe consequences for public health, social equality, and the environment."
The committee—an international group of experts set up by the non-governmental organization "Eat" and "The Lancet" journal—aims to develop strategies for a healthy diet for humans alongside protecting the planet.
Ruminant animals produce large amounts of greenhouse gases.
Not only does consuming red meat pose a long-term risk of cancer, but it also significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
During digestion, animals such as cows, sheep, and deer, produce large amounts of methane, a strong warming gas. According to the report, 53% of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide produced by agriculture come from ruminant animals (herbivorous mammals that carry out "rumination," where partially digested food is regurgitated from the stomach back to the mouth to be chewed again). If individuals worldwide adopt healthy diets, emissions from the food sector could decrease by 15%.
Experts say that current eating habits often lack fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, while the consumption of meat, dairy products, fats, sugar, and processed foods is excessive.
The group says that the goal is not to adopt a one-size-fits-all diet, as the "Planetary Health Diet" is flexible and compatible with a wide range of foods, cultures, dietary habits, traditions, and individual preferences.
However, significant changes will be needed in how and where food is produced and its quality. Some sectors will need to be reduced, such as cutting red meat production by about a third.
It will also require an expansion in other sectors, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, to about two-thirds compared to production levels in 2020.
Currently, food production is the main factor for exceeding planetary boundaries, which include not only climate change but also disruptions in nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and ocean acidification.
As the authors of the study wrote, "Obesity rates continue to rise globally, and the pressure that dietary systems place on planetary boundaries shows no signs of receding."
