Cutting Meat And Dairy Will Save The Planet?
UK - Consumers need to cut down on the meat and dairy products they eat to help tackle climate change and reduce diet-related diseases, claims a report by the government's independent advisory body, the Sustainable Development Commission.
15 December 2009
1 minute read
The report entitled 'Setting the Table' provides official recommendations for a healthy and environmentally-friendly diet.
Meat and dairy products were named as 'hotspots', which the government should focus on. Reducing consumption of these would likely have a significant and immediate impact on making diets mroe sustainable.
The report explained that reduced consumption of meat and dairy products would improve public health through a reduction of cardiovascular disease, reduced incidence of cancer, reduced incidences of zoonoses and a reduction of antibiotic resistance which occurs via water pollution.
With regard to the environment, a reduction in the consumption of meat and dairy products will supposedly result in large reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, slow the rate of deforestations, allow land to be used for other agricultural practices such as cereals and free up large quantities of water for human consumption.
The report also suggests that Defra undertakes research on whether consumers would accept different diets, in relation to reducing meat and dairy consumption.
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