Eat less meat: UN climate change report calls for change to human diet (nature.com)

Article summary

A UN climate change report suggests that reducing meat consumption is necessary to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of global warming. The report emphasizes the need for drastic changes in global land use, agriculture, and human diets. Efforts to reduce meat consumption could involve increasing prices or providing alternatives, although some argue that people will not stop consuming meat without significant incentives or disincentives. The report's findings have implications for individual dietary choices and broader policy decisions.

Main themes

• climate change
• meat consumption
• sustainable diets
• agriculture
• environmental policy

What commenters say

• Reducing meat consumption is necessary to mitigate climate change, and drastic changes in global land use and agriculture are required to achieve this goal. Some argue that people will only reduce their meat consumption if it becomes economically infeasible or if alternatives are made more accessible. Others propose that a balanced approach, such as reducing meat intake to moderate levels, is more realistic and effective than advocating for complete elimination of meat from diets. The historical context of meat consumption, such as in pre-WWII Eastern Europe, is not a relevant or desirable model for modern diets. Taxing food based on shipping distance could be a potential solution to reduce the carbon footprint of food production and consumption. Some people believe that a plant-based diet is not a viable option due to the limited availability of certain foods in different regions, while others argue that it is possible to have a balanced and nutritious plant-based diet with careful planning. The role of protein in diets is a point of contention, with some arguing that plant-based sources are sufficient and others claiming that animal-based sources are necessary for optimal health.