Less meat protects your health and the environment

Reduced meat consumption can reduce greenhouse gases

13.11.2012

Vegetarians have long known that giving up meat can drastically reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. According to the environmental organization WWF, only the restriction of meat consumption can lead to a saving of about nine million tons of greenhouse gas per year, if consumers would refrain from eating meat at least once a week.

Those who eat less meat not only do something good for their health, but can also save the climate on top of that. This is confirmed by a recent study by the environmental organization WWF, which was presented to the public on Tuesday in Berlin.

Less meat and less disposable mentality
If every German citizen would reduce his meat consumption to a healthy level and additionally throw less food into the garbage, "67 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions could be saved per year." The savings in climate-damaging greenhouse gases would then roughly correspond to Portugal's total annual output. Therefore, according to the WWF, the world's rising meat consumption "should finally be given more importance as a factor in the fight against climate change".

"Those who choose to have their lunch instead of ham sandwiches or hamburgers, pasta with tomato sauce or ratatouille are actively involved in climate protection", summarizes Tanja Dräger de Teran, WWF climate protection and nutrition expert, the results of the "Climate change on the plate" study. "Even if every German citizen would only give up meat once a week, this could still lead to an annual saving of around nine million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That's the equivalent of 75 billion car-kilometers. "

Not more than 450 grams of meat per week
According to the recommendation of the German Nutrition Society, adults should not eat more than 450 grams of meat per week. This health recommendation could have a positive effect on resource and climate protection. Moreover, if people in Germany throw away less food, "greenhouse gas emissions of around 800 kilograms of CO2 equivalent could be saved per inhabitant per year". At present, one German citizen causes around 11 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. Another study came to the conclusion that vegetarians live longer.

Less demand for meat means less deforestation of rainforests
In addition, the study showed that indirect emissions are of fundamental importance. These arise, for example, through the deforestation of tropical rainforests in favor of pasture and acreage for animals and animal feed. In this context, a healthier diet could help to save significant amounts of greenhouse gases as the demand for meat falls. "On the basis of a healthy diet and reduced food waste alone, around 35 million tons of indirect emissions could be avoided in Germany every year," the study authors conclude. (Sb)

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