A new study concludes that of the 17.3 billion metric tonnes of annual greenhouse gases emitted from global food production, 57% is attributed to the meat, egg and dairy industries, which is nearly double compared to the 29% contribution of plant-based food cultivation.
According to the analysis, the high emissions from animal livestock raising are mainly due to land use for feed production and grazing, methane pollution from enteric fermentation of ruminant animals, manure management and deforestation.
In particular, the beef and cow milk sectors contribute the most to the total animal-based food emissions.
The paper’s lead author, Dr. Atul Jain, an atmospheric sciences professor at the United States-based University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said, “I’m a strict vegetarian… if people are concerned about climate change, they should seriously consider changing their dietary habits.”
Our gratitude for the valuable study, Dr. Atul Jain and all scientists involved. To save our planet from the climate crisis, may humanity quickly embrace the low-emission vegan lifestyle, in Heaven’s wisdom.