October 30, 2021

The Critical Role of Diet in Combating Climate Change

A man stands amidst vibrant lavender flowers, showcasing the beauty of nature in a serene outdoor setting.

It’s hard not to feel at least a little cheered by these apparent milestones. And yet…the actual policies that will make these pledges real are barely visible, lost in a heat haze on a distant horizon.

A big part of the problem is what’s not being talked about at COP26. One glaring omission is the impact of our diet on the climate. As things stand, this issue will not receive proper attention at COP26, which would be a massive oversight. Over 30% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from food, and the percentage is even higher in many other countries. One of the key drivers of global deforestation is the meat industry, as trees are cleared on a vast scale to grow crops for livestock.

That’s why climate scientists worldwide widely recognise that one of the most significant climate-positive actions we can take as individuals is to eat less meat and more plants. Our National Food Strategy has called for a shift towards this goal, advocating for a 30% reduction in meat and dairy consumption by 2030. Yet helping us make this shift is not part of the current government’s Net Zero Strategy, and it’s not even on the COP26 agenda!

This is why I agreed to present this short film for Veg Power. Many vegetable growers in the UK and around the world are finding innovative ways to reduce the climate impact of their farming. Let’s recognise that and support them in doing more. We can do this simply by buying and eating more of the vegetables they produce. Vegetables are the major food group with the lowest environmental impact, and eating more locally grown veg will help reduce our “carbon food print.”

Of course, we should receive much more support in achieving this, both from the government and the food industry. But let’s not wait for that to happen. Let’s all make a commitment to eat more veg and less meat, starting now. It’s good for us—and it’s vital for the planet. Why not take the next step and book a spot in one of our vegetable cookery courses? Discover exciting new ways to enjoy and appreciate food!

By Hugh Fearnley-Whittingtall (2.11.21)

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