sign in sign up
<<
Home , Evanna Lynch, The China Study

An Appetite for Life: How a global food revolution could help save the planet, farmed animals, and us.

To feed a rising global population and fight against climate change, scientists are calling for a ‘great food transformation,’ one which would require drastically reducing our consumption of meat and dairy, and making a cultural shift towards a largely -based .

hether through red meat consumption would media coverage, need to halve across the world environmen- and fall by more than 80% in tal campaigns, developed countries, while the outspoken celebri- proportion of nuts, , vege- ties or influential tables and (such as documentaries lentils and chickpeas) should Wsuch as and Net- be doubled. flix’s Our Planet, the idea that This may sound like a radical food production is unsustai- overhaul, but scientists are nable from a planetary pers- convinced it will take nothing pective has been around for less if we are going to address a long time. A succession of the needs of an ever-growing high-profile reports, as well as population, and a planet in increasing public awareness, crisis. The report - which took have recently brought the three years to compile and issue under renewed focus. brought together 37 experts In January 2019, a group of from 16 countries specialising international experts pro- in health, , environ- posed a “planetary health mental sustainability, eco- diet” which would minimise nomics and politics – is not climate change and rainforest the first of its kind. A major destruction, while preventing study by the University of millions of premature human Oxford, published in October deaths each year. The land- 2018, delivered equally strong mark report, published in The recommendations. Scientific Lancet medical journal, claims consensus has now consoli- that in order to feed an expec- dated around the idea that ted population of 10 billion meat and dairy have dire people by 2050, we will need consequences for the planet. to adopt a largely plant-based Avoiding them, scientists say, diet with modest allowances is the biggest single way to for meat, dairy and sugar. reduce our environmental Under its recommendations, impact. The Environment

ver the last 50 land use are all symptoms years, global of the food industry. Wit- meat pro- hout action, scientists fore- duction has cast these environmental increasedo nearly five times, impacts could worsen by from 70 million tonnes in up to 90% by 2050. Conti- the early 1960s to more nuing at this trajectory, than 330 million tonnes in they argue, will push us 2017 - an increase driven past critical environmen- by a rising population and tal limits, beyond which higher incomes. While we humanity will struggle to shake our heads at defo- survive. restation, species extinc- At the same time, the tion and an ever-warming World Resources Institute climate, many of us don’t says that food production realise that we are actually will have to grow by 50 eating our way towards percent by 2050 in order these very same out- to feed the growing popu- comes. The food system is lation. arguably the largest driver So how do we reconcile of environmental degrada- these two conflicting out- tion: climate change, bio- comes? diversity loss, depletion of On an increasingly overpo- freshwater resources, soil pulated planet, making infertility, pollution from sure that there is enough nitrogen and phosphorus food to feed everyone is a fertilisers and changes in question of efficiency...

If the world’s cattle formed their own nation, it would have the third-highest emissions on Earth, behind only and the United States. > Meat production uses enormous amounts of land, both for grazing and growing for cattle feed. Carbon-storing forests, wetlands and grasslands are often

converted to pasture. > Toxins from manure and fertiliser pour into waterways, causing harmful algal blooms, which suffocate fish and lead to widespread ‘dead zones’

The vast majority of global would also spell disaster for mland use by more than 75% more potent as a greenhouse farmland - more than 80% - is the earth’s remaining forests – an area equivalent to the US, gas than carbon dioxide. The currently used for and peat lands. Already, in China, the EU and Australia environmental impact of meat which produces just 18% of areas such as the Amazon and combined – and still feed the (and especially beef) is so high food calories consumed. The eastern Australia, deforestation world. Beef requires 160 times that experts have suggested huge amounts of land, grain is taking place at alarming more land than potatoes, cutting it out would be a and water required to produce rates in order to make way for wheat or rice - and it produces better way for consumers to this animal protein is seen by more cattle farms. Not only 11 times more greenhouse gas reduce their emissions than many as dramatically waste- does deforestation accelerate emissions. Likewise, producing giving up their car. ful, especially considering that climate change by releasing a glass of cow’s milk results in The evidence is clear: agri- same land could instead be greenhouse gases into the almost three times the green- culture is a major (though repurposed to produce more atmosphere, it also reduces house gas emissions of dairy- often overlooked) cog in the food. One study in the U.S. the natural carbon sinks the free alternatives. climate change machine, and has shown that, by switching forests provide. Agricultural emissions are on we can’t afford to keep fee- meat and dairy for plant crops While some kinds of meat and track to contribute around ding the expanding population that have equivalent nutritio- dairy production are more 70% of the total allowable on meat. Taken alongside the nal content, between two and damaging than others, all are greenhouse gas emissions by 2018 UN report, in which the 20 times more food could more harmful to the living 2050. According to the UN, world’s leading scientists war- be generated on the same world than growing plant pro- livestock farming currently ned there are just 12 years in amount of land. tein. A 2018 study published in accounts for over 14% of all which to keep global warming Bringing more land under the journal Science suggested greenhouse gases, mostly in under 1.5°C, it seems that livestock production is the- that if we were to abolish the form of methane. Pro- food choices have an increa- refore not the answer, and it meat and dairy consumption, duced in animals’ digestive singly important role to play in we could reduce global far- systems, methane is 30 times countering climate change. The world loves eating meat, but that love puts pressure on the world. Red meats - and especially beef - are the worst offenders, having a greater impact on the climate than any other food.

According to a report by the Unless consumers cut down World Resources Institute on their meat consumption, (WRI), demand for animal- by 2050 the world will have based foods is on track to rise to deforest a land mass nearly more than two-thirds by 2050. twice the size of India (relea- The WRI has also warned that sing much of its sequestered the resulting expansion of carbon in the process) just animal agriculture could to keep up with the additio- produce enough emissions nal demand. At a time when to exceed the Paris climate concerns are also growing agreement’s targets for catas- about the effect of meat on trophic warming (even if the human health and animal world completely stops using welfare, such stark warnings fossil fuels). should be taken seriously. Research published in 2014 farming. showed that the green- Eating less meat would house gas emissions of a free up billions of hectares vegan diet are half that of farmland, and while not of a meat-eating diet, and all of this pastureland is the benefits of plant-based suitable for growing crops, eating extend beyond it could be returned to na- climate change. Whereas ture, allowing the recovery buying an electric car or of ecosystems destroyed turning down your hea- by livestock farming. ting will simply lower your Of course, such a move greenhouse gas emissions, would meet strong oppo- choosing a vegan lifestyle sition from the farming also alleviates a multitude community, and there of other environmental would need to be sound ills - such as global aci- economic incentives for dification, eutrophication, reducing meat and dairy land use and freshwater farming. One study has impacts. That is not to say shown that, in the US that and alone, switching to a plant- crops have zero impact, heavy diet could save the but - according to research country up to $80 billion by the University of Oxford dollars, by averting green- - even the least sustai- house gas emissions and nable plant crops are far the national cost of health less damaging than the problems that stem from most sustainable livestock unhealthy diets.

The World Resources Institute estimates that peas and lentils produce 20 times less greenhouse gas emissions than beef. Even small changes to our diets could lead to massive environmental gains. Human Health

nhealthy Cooking meat at high diets are temperatures (such as the largest pan frying or grilling) also global produces harmful chemi- U burden of cals including heterocyclic disease, and pose a grea- amines (HCAs) and polycy- ter risk to morbidity and clic aromatic hydrocarbons mortality than unsafe sex, (PAHs), the latter of which alcohol, drug, and tobacco are also found in cigarette use combined. smoke and car exhaust Meat, dairy and eggs all fumes. In laboratory expe- contain and riments, both HCAs and saturated fats, which are PAHs have been found the main culprits in the to be mutagenic—that is, rise of . Eating more they cause changes in our than the recommended DNA that may increase the amount of red and pro- risk of cancer. cessed meats has been It would be spurious to linked to increased risk claim that meat and dairy of heart disease, strokes, didn’t contain some nutri- and certain types tional value. This can vary of cancer. depending on rearing Indeed, in 2015, the World methods. For example, in Health Organization decla- contrast to grain-fed meat red processed red meat to from intensive systems, be carcinogenic (cancer- wholly pasture-fed meat causing), and unprocessed is high in beta carotene, red meat, such as steaks omega-3 fatty acids, cal- and chops, to be a pro- cium, selenium, magne- bable carcinogen. sium and potassium as

Eating red and processed meats increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, food poisoning and cancers. well as E and B. disease. In intensive farming However, a person who systems, cramming thou- chooses to cut out meat sands of animals together and dairy can still obtain into filthy, overstocked sheds these nutrients from plant- creates stressful, unsanitary based sources. Additionally, conditions - the ideal bree- the key claim that dairy is ding ground for dangerous integral for bone strength is bacteria and viruses. The U.S. often not borne out in large Department of Agriculture studies (American women, (USDA) reports that one in six who consume tremendous cows in U.S. dairies is infec- amounts of calcium, have ted with mastitis (an inflam- one of the highest rates of mation of the mammary osteoporosis in the world). glands and udders). Not only can mastitis prove fatal to the Another major public health cow, but the infection gene- concern associated with rates pus, which gets into the meat and dairy is the risk of milk. The average teaspoon

1 Eating meat, eggs or dairy carries the risk of ingesting harmful pathogens, such as those that cause food poisoning [1] bird flu [2] and swine flu [3]. All 2 food-borne diseases originate from .

of U.S. milk contains over a contaminated animal flesh. the presence of Salmo- to become more susceptible of Investigative Journalism million pus cells. Salmonella is one of the nella in eggs causes over to dangerous E. coli infec- and the Guardian uncove- 3 Eating meat contaminated biggest culprits, killing 100,000 cases in the U.S. tions. Therefore, not only red hygiene failings in some with bacteria can also cause more Americans than annually. does meat have the potential of the US’s biggest meat food poisoning. In the U.S. any other food-borne To make matters worse, to carry dangerous bacteria, plants, including filthy factory alone, there are 75 million pathogen. As recently a major 2008 study pu- but it makes us more likely conditions, condemned meat cases of food poisoning an- as November 2018, a blished in the journal to become infected by those being stored in containers nually - 5,000 of which prove deadly outbreak resul- Nature reported that bacteria. for edible food, and meat fatal. According to the U.S. ted in the USDA having a substance found in Poor hygiene in the meat destined for the supply chain Department of Agriculture to recall over 140,000 meat and milk (but not supply chain exacerbates being contaminated with (USDA), 70 percent of this pounds of raw ground naturally found in the the problem. A 2018 joint faecal matter and pus-filled food poisoning is caused by turkey products. Meanwhile, human body) causes us investigation by the Bureau abscesses. More recently, in South Cramming animals together into overstoc- Africa, the world’s largest lis- ked sheds creates unsanitary conditions teriosis outbreak - which clai- med over 216 lives between - the ideal breeding ground for dangerous 2017-2018 - was traced back bacteria and viruses to a meat processing plant in the state of Limpopo. All of these diseases arise A similar analysis in the UK disability or paralysis. Accor- from bacterial contamination. showed that almost two ding to tests carried out in But meat, dairy and eggs can thirds of all audited meat 2008 by the Food Standards also contain other worrisome plants had at least one major Agency, Campylobacter is pathogens. hygiene breach between present in approximately 65% (or ‘bird flu’) is a virus that 2016 - 2018, leading to the of raw chicken for sale in UK can pass from livestock to widespread recall of meat supermarkets and butchers, humans. Proper cooking des- products and the collapse of infecting about 280,000 troys it in poultry and eggs, one major supplier. people a year, with an annual but continued outbreaks are In the UK, chickens have death toll of around 100. a cause for concern. Accor- been linked to around 80% of In 2005 the world’s largest ding to a 2017 report, factory all Campylobacter infections and deadliest outbreak of a farming of poultry in Asia is (the nation’s most common pathogen called Streptococ- increasing the threat of bird form of food poisoning). cus suis emerged, causing flu spreading, with more The bug, which is carried in meningitis and deafness in deadly strains taking hold. the birds’ guts and faeces, people handling infected Already, outbreaks have been causes severe diarrhoea and pork products. Most cases reported in domestic poultry vomiting. It can also trigger originated in Southeast Asia, flocks in Asia, Australia, arthritis, heart and blood where pigs are farmed in Europe, the Middle East and infections, and permanent high densities. Africa. Likewise, the 2009 swine flu tics in agriculture is a poten- in humans. Other harmful pandemic - responsible for tial death warrant for a future substances such as dioxins more than 17,000 deaths patient.” and pesticides accumulate worldwide, originated in pigs Microbial or antibiotic conta- in animals’ flesh and have from central Mexico. mination are not the only been linked to a wide range Elsewhere, pig factories in factors that impact on both of health problems, including Malaysia birthed the Nipah public and animal health. birth defects and cancer. Of virus: a contagious respirato- Hormones used to promote course, pesticides are also ry disease, causing relapsing growth in some factory- present in plant foods, but brain infections and killing farmed cattle are present research has shown that 40% of people infected. Its in their meat and milk, lea- roughly 80 percent of our emergence has been blamed ding to concerns about an dietary exposure comes from squarely on factory farming. increased risk of disrupted animals that are reared on During the late 1980s an development and cancer pesticide-treated grain. infectious agent known as a prion was responsible for an epidemic of BSE (otherwise known as ‘mad cow disease’) which affected an estimated 180,000 British cattle. The di- sease, which affects the ner- vous system, can also be fatal to humans, who contract it through the consumption of contaminated meat. Despite the slaughter of 4.4 million cattle during the outbreak, Intensive farming of pigs new human deaths were still being recorded as recently as has given rise to swine flu 2016. and Nipah virus, both of With a list of pathogens this > Mastitis (udder infections in cows) which are transmissable long, it’s easy to see that livestock disease is a big pro- means pus gets into the milk we drink. to humans through the blem. As a result, factory-far-

> consumption of contamina- med animals are routinely fed Farmed animals are dosed with antibio- ted meat. a steady diet of antibiotics to promote growth and stave tics, increasing the risk of superbugs. off infections. Such overpres- cribing of antibiotics has se- rious implications for human because it increases the chance that drug-resis- tant ‘superbugs’ will develop. If people eat meat tainted with these drug-resistant germs and subsequently become ill, there is a risk that the antibiotics we rely on to treat infections will become useless. As the UK’s chief medical officer put it in his 2009 annual report: “every inappropriate use of antibio- The numerous health risks associated with meat and dairy consumption have led I’ve been vegetarian for most of to an increasing number of my life and - given my con- nutritionists and medical cerns over the environment practitioners championing and - becoming plant-based diets. A well- ‘‘ vegan seemed like the natural planned vegetarian or vegan next step. I tried in diet contains all the nutrients 2018 but couldn’t quite give our bodies need, while also up the cheese and eggs! I was ‘‘ being low in saturated fats. determined to try again in Research has linked vegan 2019 and have focussed much diets with lower blood pres- more on all the food and in- sure and cholesterol, and gredients there are to discover, lower rates of heart disease, rather than those I’m giving type 2 diabetes and some up. I haven’t gone back yet! types of cancer. Another major advantage is that human beings cannot Sophie, catch plant diseases. All the Solicitor food-borne pathogens that affect us come from animals (some pathogens such as E. coli can still be found on if the water used to irrigate them becomes contaminated by animal faeces). Given all the evidence, it seems that leaning towards a plant-based diet will lead to a healthier population and a lower global burden of disease. Animal Welfare

common This highlights an inherent agument hypocrisy in the intelli- some vege- gence argument: if pigs tarians or are smarter than dogs, and A vegans give just as capable of suffering, for not eating meat is an then why don’t we treat ethical one. Is it moral to them the same way we incarcerate billions of ani- treat our pets? mals so that humans can ‘You can’t teach children to consume their flesh, milk be kind to a puppy or to and eggs? Some would love a kitten while simulta- say yes: human beings are neously feeding them the the more intelligent, supe- meat of another animal,’ rior species. Others find says photographer that argument to be fatally Andy Parkinson. ‘‘Under flawed. that logic, the life of one There are now over 2,000 animal has value and the peer-reviewed studies life of another has none.’’ into animal that Writing for The Guardian, have shown mammals and environmental activist birds experience the same George Monbiot echoes complex emotions as we these sentiments, arguing do: jealousy, rage, empa- that future generations will thy, fear and distress, to look back on our treatment name a few. Scientists have of animals as a ‘‘madness found that pigs are smar- of our times’’ - in the same ter than dogs, and can way that we now condemn solve puzzles just as well slavery, world wars and the as chimpanzees. subjugation of women.

You can’t teach children to be kind to a puppy or to love a kitten while simultaneously feeding them the meat of another animal. Under that logic, the life of one animal has value and the life of another has none. For every 6 billion laying hens hatched every year worldwide, a similar number of male chicks are gassed or thrown into macerator machines to be minced alive. Why? Because they’ll never lay eggs and they don’t grow fast enough to be used for meat.

n many indus- weeks old. But their bones, primary sense organs) are clip- faeces-covered sheep trial farms, hearts and lungs can’t keep ped using hot knives or lasers. struggling for air, as well as animals are up. Many suffer from lame- The ECA report also piles of dead and rotting kept in cram- ness, respiratory infections, or highlighted inadequacies in bodies, resulted in the license ped sheds heart attacks. live export conditions, where of the exporter being revoked. and will never A November 2018 report by animals being transported for Part of the problem is that O raise fami- the European Court of Audi- slaughter are forced to endure animals in the farming in- lies, forage tors (ECA) revealed that farm long, stressful journeys, often dustry are kept for profit, and for food or have the free- animal abuse - especially in in extreme temperatures and economic incentives dom to express their natural intensive farms - is rife across without access to food, can sometimes trump behaviours. Pigs and cows Europe. The report highlighted water, or veterinary care. animal welfare will spend weeks in stalls that the painful physical altera- Many of the animals be- concerns. For the prevent them from turning tions made to livestock kept in come critically ill or die six billion laying around or taking more than unnaturally high numbers. For en route. In April 2018, hens hatched a few steps forward or back. example, the stress of extreme footage of sheep every year world- Many won’t ever feel the confinement can drive pigs, being exported from wide, a similar num- warmth of the sun on their chickens and calves to engage Australia to the ber of male chicks are backs or breathe fresh air until in aggressive behaviours. Pigs middle east sparked gassed or thrown into the day they are loaded onto express frustration by tail-bi- an international out- macerator machines to lorries headed for the abattoir. ting, so some farmers routinely cry and showed the be minced alive. Why? Broiler chickens (farmed for cut off (or ‘dock’) their tails problem was not just Because they’ll meat rather than eggs) have and clip or grind down their confined to Europe. never lay eggs been bred to grow bigger and sensitive teeth, often without The exposé, which and they don’t faster so they can be slaugh- painkillers. Hens peck each revealed images grow fast enough tered before they reach six other, so their beaks (their of distressed, to be used for meat. Animals raised for food typically lead short, miserable lives in highly unnatural conditions before they’re slaughtered at the abattoir.

An estimated 97% of the US’s 73 million hogs are raised in closed barns or confined feeding operations. In these systems, sows often live the majority of their lives in gestation or farrowing crates that don’t allow them to get up or turn around. [Below] An activist holds a calf in distress at the Turkish border. Animals transported for slaughter can suffer from heat exhaustion, dehydration, injuries and, at times, death.

[Above] One of the ways live transport ships dispose of dead and dying animals is to throw them overboard. In Israel, it’s not uncommon to see animals like this decompo- [Above] A thirsty pig on a transport sing calf washed up on public truck is given water by Melbourne beaches. Pig Save activist

The global live export trade is valued at over $18 billion per annum.

Live animals, including calves, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses are routinely transpor- ted by road, rail, sea or air across continents. This causes enormous suffering, which increases with the distance travelled. Overcrowding leads to animals being injured or trampled to death, while lack of food, water and rest can lead to exhaustion, stress and dehydration. Moving livestock long distances to markets and slaughter houses can also exacerbate the spread of infec- tious diseases. Making matters worse is re- linked to a variety of disorders, cent data from the UK’s Food including post-traumatic stress Standards Agency, which indi- disorder and the lesser-known cates there has been a sharp perpetration-induced traumatic rise in animals slaughtered stress). without stunning (mostly due The hard reality is that every to religious circumstances - time we buy meat, we are e.g. to produce halal or kosher helping to fund the slaughter meat). of 70 billion farmed animals a Many people today are eating year. Photographer Andy Par- meat with their eyes squeezed kinson argues that consumers shut. Nobody likes to think should be aware of what they about , or the are paying for when buying effect that their buying habits animal products: ‘‘People have on animal welfare or the should make educated choices. environment. Even fewer are If you’re going to eat meat aware of the psychological toll and dairy, have the courage to it takes on abattoir personnel make an informed decision. Be ( work has been fully versed in what happens.’’

Every time we buy meat, we are helping to fund the slaughter of 70 billion farmed animals a year.

Perhaps the most emotive animal welfare issue in the far- flap a wing and suffer a minor ming system is the slaughter shock, or twist and escape the process itself. European and shocking altogether. According UK law stipulates that, before to USDA records, millions of slaughter, animals must be chickens in the U.S. every year effectively stunned (the part of are completely conscious when the process that renders them their throats are cut, and even insensible to pain). when they are dunked into Sheep and cattle are mostly the scalding-hot water of the stunned using a captive-bolt defeathering tanks. pistol, which strikes a forceful In the UK, pigs are lowered blow to the forehead. Howe- into gas chambers, where ver, there is always a risk of they are suffocated by high human error, and incomplete concentrations of carbon stunning. dioxide. In the 30 or so Chickens are usually hung seconds it takes for them to upside down on a produc- lose consciousness, they panic, tion line where their heads scream and try to escape, are dipped in water charged leading cam- with an electric current. Not paigners to argue that the only is the process distressing, stunning process is far from there is also the risk they will humane. A trillion chicken eggs are eaten annually around the world. There are more chickens in the US than people, many of which are confi- ned to the area of a piece of paper and never see daylight.

Photographer Spotlight:

Jo-Anne McArthur My dad’s BBQ chicken recipe ‘‘ used to be my favourite dish. ‘‘Which is why I really felt challenged when I got to know some chickens...

‘‘One of the life events that swept me up I became so interested in advocating on in my journey as an animal advocate and behalf of farmed animals, that I applied photojournalist happened when my mum to for a month-long moved to the countryside and bought internship. One of the requisites of the ten hens to have around the yard. I had internship was to be vegan on the pre- never had the opportunity to get to mises out of respect for the rescued ani- know farmed animals before, and I never mals living there. This seemed extreme! gave much thought to eating them - No eggs and dairy? But no one was until I got to know those chickens. killed for those products, I thought.

Wow! How complex they were, just like My stay at the Farm opened my eyes. the cats and dogs I loved. Friendly, I learned that layer hens and dairy curious, jealous, scared, silly; these were cows – and the dairy industry’s resulting all emotions that I witnessed in them. I “veal” – were indeed harmed and killed. I felt foolish for not having known... if my have been vegan ever since. I feel good dogs and cat would not want to be knowing that my eating habits cause eaten, then nor, I realised, would the less suffering in the world than they did chickens. I felt uncomfortable. I loved before. eating animals, but once I delved into reading about them - how they’re raised, As a photojournalist, and the founder of treated and killed - that was that. There We Animals Media, my team and I help was no way I could support the cruelties shine a light on the cruelty inherent in of the industry, no way I could continue animal industries, and share stories about eating animals that I now knew to be solutions and ways forward. sentient and dynamic - just like us, really. Reducing our consumption of animals, And so I stopped. It seemed like a huge being vegetarian, being vegan, is a posi- deal at first, but the benefits – for both tive and peaceful way of being in the me and the animals – far outweighed world. It’s better for the environment, for any remaining cravings. I felt better our health, and certainly for the animals. about myself, that I was living aligned Speaking for myself, though I know that with my values, causing less harm in the many other vegans feel the same, it’s world. I was also eating tasty and more also a spiritually and emotionally peace- diverse new foods, and I loved the jour- ful place to be.’’ ney. ‘‘We don’t need to eat animals to survive. They deserve respect and compassion – I There are signs that aware- ness, both amongst consu- think we all know this in our hearts, and we mers and in the industry, is on just have to make compassionate choices.’’ the rise. In 2015, McDonalds announced that its US and - Evanna Lynch, actress. Canada locations would be going cage-free, impacting 2 billion eggs a year. Several U.S. supermarkets have since made footage of a slaughterhouse in ‘could pose a risk to public similar pledges and Massa- Poland caused outrage when it health and portrays an unac- chusetts made history with revealed the smuggling of sick ceptable treatment of animals.’ the first sales ban on pro- cows into the food chain. Wor- The increasing popularity of ducts from confined animals. kers dragged the cows, which is perhaps another In November 2018, California were too sick to walk, out indicator that attitudes are passed a ground-breaking new of trucks using a winch, and changing. More and more, law that will ban the sale of removed evidence of pres- people are beginning to reco- all eggs, poultry, pork or veal sure sores and tumours which gnise farm animals as sentient from a caged animal. indicated the cows had been beings who have the right to In September 2018, P&O Fer- lying on their sides for days live their lives free from hun- ries announced it would stop on end. The EU commissioner ger, thirst, fear, pain, injury and shipping calves from Scot- responsible for food safety, disease. There is no better way land to Spain and Italy due to said in a statement that such to help animals and prevent welfare concerns. incidents, which are feared to their suffering than by choo- And in February 2019, secret be more widespread in Poland, sing not to eat them. Eating for the Planet

t’s easy to think that revealed that one in eight one person changing people identify as vege- their diet will make tarian or vegan, and one little or no difference third of British people are to the bigger picture, trying to reduce their meat I but as with any mass consumption, or cut it out lifestyle change - inclu- entirely. A 2016 study ding smoking and drink by market research firm driving - it has to begin NPD Group found that 70 with a shift in the social percent of American meat norm. One person going eaters are substituting vegan will not solve the non-animal proteins at planet’s environmental least once a week. And in problems, but it can make 2018, retail sales of plant- the issue more tangible to based food in the U.S. others. Changing a habit increased by 24% on the takes effort, and making a previous year - quadruple personal sacrifice helps to the growth of meat sales. convince others that there In some middle-income might be an important countries, such as China reason for doing so. The and Brazil, the reverse more people who give up is true. In these emer- meat and dairy, the more ging economies, meat the momentum builds. consumption is on the rise. Recent evidence suggests The driving force behind this is already happe- such trends is the consu- ning in some parts of the mer. In countries where world. In November 2018, meat and dairy consump- a survey across all Bri- tion is going down, there tish supermarket chains is also an increasing

One person going vegan will not solve the planet’s environmental problems, but it can make the issue more tangible to others. recognition of the health, will nurture human health sustainability and animal and support environmental welfare benefits of eating sustainability will mean per- plant-based alternatives. mitting variations based on Veganism - in the UK and local needs. U.S. at least - has gone Currently, the highest levels mainstream, with many more of meat consumption (up to restaurants and cafes offering 125kg per person per year) plant-based options. are seen in the West, with the Inversely, for some cultures, world’s poorest regions, such meat may be the only viable as some African countries, source of protein. For the eating less than 10kg by millions of people in poorer comparison. India has the nations, who are undernou- lowest level of consumption, rished or have less varied at less than 4kg per person diets, an increase in meat and per year, possibly due to dairy intake may be war- cultural and religious factors ranted. Identifying diets that that discourage meat eating.

Out with the old and in with the new... A growing number of nutritionists and medical practitioners have begun championing plant- based diets, and a reduction in meat- eating.

Food choices are clearly very therefore no better for the process. Cattle in US feedlots million tons of grain would nuggets and bacon could be personal, and behaviour environment than meat). consume 7 kilograms of grain be enough to eliminate considered criminal. change can therefore be While the first part of this to produce just 1 kilogram of the most extreme cases of The message is abundantly difficult to encourage. Every argument has merit (nearly meat. For pork, the figure is world - an amount clear: avoiding excessive time environmentalists call 25% of native Argentinean close to 4 kilograms of grain 20 times less than we are meat consumption (espe- for reduced consumption forests have been cleared per kilogram of meat. These currently feeding to livestock cially beef) is better for the of animal protein, it leads since 1996 to make way for numbers highlight an unde- each year. In a world where population, and planet. The to controversy and backlash soya crops) the reality is that niable truth: meat production an estimated 850 million fact that eating more plant- (for example, the argument most of this soya - a stag- is wildly inefficient and if we people do not have enough based food will also make us that soya production drives gering 97% - is actually fed ate the grain ourselves, we to eat, such a waste of per- healthier and improve animal the destruction of forests to livestock, and much of its could feed more people. It fectly edible food in order welfare makes it a no-brainer. and other habitats, and is nutritional value is lost in the has been estimated that 40 to produce burgers, chicken Still, not all experts are been argued that free-grazing meat and dairy consump- may eventually find their convinced that plant-based livestock can play an important tion by half, we could reduce consumption patterns affected diets are the solution, and role in such depleted systems nitrogen-based greenhouse by less voluntary incentives. some question the ethics of by returning soil nutrients lost gases from agriculture by Discussion around a meat tax driving up demand for crops to continual cropping, and 25-40%. There would also be - in the UK at least - has been that require high inputs of re-enriching pastures with their 40% less saturated fat in their gaining traction for several fertiliser, fungicides, pesticides dung and urine. Some have diet, bringing levels within the years, and the proposal has and herbicides. There is also gone so far as to claim that range recommended by the the support of a growing the question of whether a livestock grazing can capture World Health Organisation. number of academics and large-scale shift to plant-based carbon in the atmosphere and Research in the U.S. has shown policy makers. Governments eating would see us relying store it in the soil. However, that, for every two Americans already tax unhealthy products more heavily on imported this has not been borne out in who choose to substitute beef like sugar, alcohol and produce with increased studies. with a nutritionally equivalent tobacco, and according to transport emissions. Similarly, Clearly, the situation is not combination of plant-based research published in Novem- ploughing cropland releases black-and-white. Perhaps it’s food, enough resources would ber 2018, doing the same for carbon from the soil and less about whether you eat be saved to fully feed an processed meat such as bacon degrades soil species - such meat or not, and more a additional third person. and could save bil- as beetles and earthworms - question of how much. The Even consumers who are not lions of lives, as well as raise which, in turn, support UN have suggested that if motivated by environmental, money for healthcare. mammals and birds. It has Europeans were to cut their health or welfare concerns The majority of If you’re thinking about medicine comes from

going joining the millions of ‘‘plants. So if we have people in the world who plants in the form of

eat only plants, here are food why do we choose some tips to help you to eat meat? Gorillas, vegan along the way... rhinos and elephants ‘‘ eat no flesh and they are healthy and strong. Experiment with new recipes Temptation is normal We don’t need meat, plant based power is There are many books and online re- Luckily, there are vegan alternatives for the key. sources dedicated to a vegan diet. Try all your favourite foods: meat, cheese, some new recipes before taking the chocolate, milk, ice cream, you name plunge. Knowing how to make delicious it! Cheese is often the hardest for new Sammy, vegan you love will give you more vegans to live without - and with good Personal Trainer confidence in your decision and help you reason. Scientists have found that the discover new flavours. it contains triggers the brain’s opioid receptors, linking it to addiction. If you find yourself missing meat or dairy, Don’t be afraid of eating out treat it as an opportunity to remind yourself why you went vegan in the first Many places have a vegan option, if not place, and congratulate yourself for the an entire menu. Even if they don’t, chefs effort you’ve already put in. Temptation often enjoy the challenge of inventing a is likely to lessen over time. plant-based especially for you.

Get to know food labels Prepare for questions Some meat eaters struggle to unders- Eggs and dairy are always highlighted in tand the decision to become vegan. Treat bold. Most supermarkets make it easy for this as an opportunity to explain the you by having dedicated vegan / vegeta- benefits. Perhaps they will sympathise rian sections. with your point of view. Try not to get upset about the occasional angry reac- Try not to feel restricted tion - this is sometimes a meat-eater’s defence mechanism. A huge range of everyday foods are vegan - and more are becoming avai- lable all the time. Every nutrient you Baby steps need can be found in a vegan diet. B12 - which is found naturally in You could start with one vegan day a animal products, can instead be obtai- week and gradually increase it. Or you ned from fortified milks, supplements, or could try cutting things out one at a yeast extracts. time: whether its eggs, dairy products, or meat.

Photographer Spotlight:

Matthew Maran Vegans have a reputation for ‘‘ being sanctimonious and self- ‘‘righteous but the stigma is fading as more people get on board...

‘‘Before turning vegan I had been vegeta- animals are leading happy, healthy lives they’re eliminating I prefer to focus on rian for 12 years. Then, in 2013, I went to and roaming free in green fields). This is what I’ve gained. My own diet is more stay with some vegan friends in Bangkok increasingly not the case as the UK conti- varied and creative since going vegan. & my diet and attitude changed drama- nues to construct mega dairies/farms Physically, I feel great and in the past few tically. I was generously looked after, with with a reported 26% rise since 2012. years have completed a Half Ironman, a a huge variety of delicious home-cooked marathon and countless 5 and 10K races and healthy food. From sausages made After I made the decision to all fuelled from eating plants. with beans and cranberries to waffles there was no going back - I started and ice cream and colourful, healthy listening to podcasts by Rich Roll and Vegans have a reputation for being salads. It seemed that being vegan was Colleen Patrick-Goudreau - two great sanctimonious and self-righteous but not boring or limited at all. resources for evidenced-based informa- the stigma is fading as more people get tion about health, activism and support on board. I think the important thing I had previously never given a second for those in the early stages of transitio- is not to look for perfection because it thought to how milk, cheese and eggs ning to a vegan diet. I read books such doesn’t exist. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau are produced and never considered that as the China Study by T. Colin Campbell sums it up perfectly with her phrase “just any harm was being done to animals. I and Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and because you can’t do everything, doesn’t used to think that cows just ‘produced’ Wear Cows by . I watched mean you should do nothing.” With milk. After looking a little further into the documentary films including Forks Over greater awareness and a willingness to various industries I realised that animals Knives and Cowspiracy. There are plenty face some of the realities around health, are the victims of an inherently violent of good resources out there that helped the environment and animal welfare, system that puts profit over their welfare, me along on the journey. positive change can be achieved. the environment and our health. This applies to all animals in the system, not I have been vegan for 6 years and my There are many wildlife photographers just the ones which are used to produce confidence and knowledge has grown. doing great work to promote the bene- meat. In my opinion, the dairy industry There are endless recipes online and fits of intact ecosystems and highlighting is worse for animal welfare as the dairy alternative food choices have increased the plight of species. More are switching cow’s average life span is just four years tenfold. The options for vegans eating towards the vegan diet, which for me is (their ancestors could live up to 20 years out in the last 2 years have exploded a great thing. Why should a wild animal in the wild). During that time they are and many people are taking note of the be considered more important than one forced to bear calves, which are promptly myriad benefits to going vegan. that is farmed? To me they are all one removed so that humans can drink the It wasn’t so easy in the beginning and and the same and it’s great being part milk instead. This is one of many realities does require some effort but it’s worth of a movement that has, and continues of the meat and dairy industry that are it when you know what you’re contribu- to gather momentum. Despite the dire kept largely out of our view (it would ting to. It’s also an exciting challenge and situation we currently face, I do remain much rather have us believe that all whilst many choose to focus on what hopeful. The Future of Food

eeding a world tering animals. It would population of 10 also require between 7% billion by 2050 - 45% less energy and use is not impos- up only 1% of the land F sible, as long and 4% of the water nee- as we change the way we ded for conventional meat eat and produce food. production. As well as the Reducing meat consump- environmental and health tion might be achieved benefits, there are also by a mix of education, clear advantages for ani- taxes, subsidies for plant- mal welfare. based foods and changes The major obstacle to lab- to school and workplace grown meat is cost, but menus - as well as tech- it’s an area that could be nological innovation. For cost-competitive within example, lab-grown meat a decade and it’s already (muscle tissue artificially attracting high-profile grown inside a bioreac- investors including Richard tor) is currently being Branson and Bill Gates. developed by a num- ‘‘There’s no way to pro- ber of firms as a cleaner, duce enough meat for 9 greener alternative - and billion people,’’ Gates wrote one which is also free of on his personal blog. ‘‘Yet the pathogens that can we can’t ask everyone to infect slaughtered meat. become vegetarians. That’s According to research led why we need more options by Oxford University, lab- for producing meat cultured meat would re- without depleting our duce greenhouse gases by resources.’’ 96% compared to slaugh-

Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods sell plant-based burgers that taste, look and feel remarkably similar to conventional meat; you can help save the planet and prevent animal abuse without sacrificing the pleasure of eating meat. over-purchasing (or is dis- fruit production, but also killed In 2018, McDonald’s became warming, then we all need carded while still edible). bees and other insect species the first restaurant company to start thinking about what Industry change will be nee- in alarming numbers. Agro- in the world to address global we’re putting on our plates. ded too. To halt deforestation, forestry could help remove climate change by setting a Continuing to use enormous water shortages and pollu- carbon from the atmosphere, target to reduce greenhouse amounts of land, grain and tion from overuse of fertiliser, reduce flooding and increase gas emissions. If other food water to produce animal profound changes in farming biodiversity. suppliers follow suit, this protein - in a system that will practices are needed. These Governments and corporations would be a positive step in the have to feed an extra 2 billion include increasing crop yields are beginning to show interest right direction. mouths by 2050 - would be in poorer nations, more uni- in financing and supporting The ‘global food transforma- just as irresponsible, some say, versal water storage and far these models. In January 2019, tion’ scientists have called as continuing to burn coal. more careful use of fertilisers. a panel of international climate for will require nothing less A move away from intensive scientists and policy experts, than a revolution, involving Eating large amounts of meat systems towards agro-ecolo- called for a global treaty to not just our farming methods and dairy is an extravagance gical methods (sowing crops limit the influence of “Big but consumption habits and we can no longer afford. But such as clover to suppress Food” - a move which saw a our entire food economy. This it’s not just about helping the weeds and returning organic coalition of over 80 investors would have to involve far- planet, it’s about being mind- matter to the soil by rotating call on McDonald’s, KFC, and mers, retailers, governments ful of our own health, as well nitrogen-fixing vegetables and other fast food suppliers to and - most importantly of all as the wellbeing of the animals legumes) could make us less take swift action by cutting - consumers. If we are going we eat. A revolution of the reliant on pesticides, which carbon and water risks in their to meet the goals of the Paris global food system would be a have helped boost cereal and meat and dairy supply chains. Agreement to limit global victory for all three.

Another emerging technology technologies could spell the that could revolutionise the beginning of the end for global food system sounds like intensive livestock farming. something out of a science- Dietary and technological fiction novel. For over a year, change are the two essential Finnish researchers have been things, and hopefully they can producing food from air, water be complemented by reduc- and - wait for it - electricity. tion in food waste. About a The process, which relies on third of food produced today hydrogen-oxidising bacteria, never reaches the table - cuts out the need for plants which amounts to about 1.6 and animals altogether, resul- billion tonnes globally, or ting in a compound that’s 3,000 tonnes every minute. 50-60% protein (the rest is Much of it spoils before it ever and fat). reaches the consumer, whereas The advent of these nascent some is wasted as a result of Sustainable eating is about the food choices each and every one of us can make. Even the smallest personal decisions can add up, over time, to significant positive impacts.

All the evidence now points in with 250,000 people across Simply cutting down your welfare standards, or choose the same direction: if we are the world taking the pledge. meat intake vastly reduces organic produce that hasn’t going to have a sustainable Veganism has also been cham- your carbon footprint – and been subjected to the routine future where people, animals pioned by major celebrities is arguably more important use of antibiotics and growth and the planet can all flourish and influencers including BBC than eliminating meat entirely. hormones. together, then we need to eat wildlife expert Chris Packham, New dietary labels such as Being mindful of the environ- less meat. Spanish footballer Hector Bel- ‘flexitarian’ (only eating meat ment also means avoiding How we do this depends on lerin, musicians Beyonce and sometimes) and ‘reducetarian’ food waste. Many of us our individual values. For some Jay-Z and actress (aiming to eat less meat) are wrongly dispose of food that’s people, veganism is the ans- Evanna Lynch. an indication of how different still edible, due to misun- wer, and it’s a lifestyle that’s However, despite the evidence groups of people are already derstanding the difference currently advancing at an that a vegan diet has the making efforts to cut down on between best before and use incredible rate, even in some least impact on the planet, it’s their consumption. Additio- by dates. Small steps, such as of the most meat and dairy- unlikely that the world’s diet nally, ‘Meatless Mondays’ have meal planning and only buying loving countries on the planet. will ever be 100% plant-based. become a global phenomenon what we need, can help Veganuary (a charity inspiring Meat plays an important – practised not just by indi- alleviate pressure on natural people to try a vegan diet for role in culture and traditions, viduals but also restaurants, resources. the month of January) had its providing income and security schools, universities and hospi- While it may seem as though strongest ever year in 2019, for many people. A simple ‘no tals around the globe. individual actions won’t make meat’ message could also have It’s also important to remem- a difference, sustainable eating unintended consequences for ber that not all meat and dairy is about the food choices each farmers’ livelihoods, as well is created equally, and consu- and every one of us can make as alienating consumers who mers can make a positive in our daily lives. We can’t all want to eat meat. difference by choosing chicken afford to buy electric vehicles The good news is, by making over pork or beef, or buying or fit solar panels onto our better-informed choices, the grass-fed instead of grain-fed roofs, but we can choose what environmental impact of the meat – which is better for the we eat every day. And even food system can be reduced animals, the environment, and the smallest personal deci- without the global population us. We can also look for meat, sions can add up, over time, to having to go vegan overnight. milk and eggs with higher significant positive impacts. Contact: [email protected] +44(0)117 911 4675