https://phys.org/news/2023-09-meat-alternatives-slash-food-emissions.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 129 * Twit * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Earth 3. Environment * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- September 16, 2023 Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication reputable news agency proofread Meat, milk alternatives could slash food system emissions a third: study by Imran Marashli Cows belch methane, a potent greenhouse gas whose warming effect is much stronger than carbon dioxide Cows belch methane, a potent greenhouse gas whose warming effect is much stronger than carbon dioxide. Replacing half of the pork, chicken, beef and milk products we consume with plant-based alternatives could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and related land use by nearly a third, and virtually halt forest loss, according to research published on Tuesday. Population growth and higher incomes are on track to increase global demand for these key animal products, which can bring damaging environmental consequences. Forests are cleared to make way for cattle and the grain needed to feed them, while cows belch methane, a potent greenhouse gas whose warming effect is much more powerful than carbon dioxide. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, used modeling to analyze the impact of a worldwide dietary shift towards plant-based alternatives to pork, beef, chicken and milk with the same nutritional value. It suggested that greenhouse gas emissions connected to agriculture and land use could be cut by 31 percent in 2050 compared to 2020 levels if consumption were reduced by half. In that scenario, the amount of land dedicated to agricultural uses falls by 12 percent instead of continuing to expand. The extent of forests and other natural land area would remain nearly the same as in 2020, as land earmarked for livestock and production of feed is spared rather than burned or cleared. The increased use of nitrogen for crops is almost half of what it would otherwise be on expected trends, while water use drops 10 percent. Use of nitrogen nutrients in the world Use of nitrogen nutrients in the world. 'Critical opportunity' A massive shift to plant-based foods would also improve global food security, with the number of undernourished people falling by 31 million by 2050, the researchers said. In addition, it would boost biodiversity. Restored land area could contribute between 13 and 25 percent of the estimated land restoration needed by 2030 under a target set in a global treaty hammered out at the end of last year. The decline of life-sustaining ecosystems on current trajectories would be more than halved by 2050, the study suggested. "Plant-based meats are not just a novel food product but a critical opportunity for achieving food security and climate goals while also achieving health and biodiversity objectives worldwide," study co-author Eva Wollenberg said. Sub-Saharan Africa, China and Southeast Asia would see the biggest reductions in biodiversity losses, while carbon sequestration levels would improve the most in sub-Saharan Africa and South America, notably Brazil. Freeing up cropland would especially affect China, the world's top consumer of pork and chicken meat. Replacing beef alone would provide around half of the emissions reductions achieved through reducing consumption of all four animal products. The researchers cautioned that such changes should take into account the importance of livestock in some cultures and to small-scale farmers, but noted that climate change also represented a major risk to them. The pricing of plant-based products will greatly determine the evolution of the market, while the speed and fairness of the change will depend much on public policies, they said. More information: Marta Kozicka, Feeding climate and biodiversity goals with novel plant-based meat and milk alternatives, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40899-2. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40899-2 Journal information: Nature Communications (c) 2023 AFP Citation: Meat, milk alternatives could slash food system emissions a third: study (2023, September 16) retrieved 20 September 2023 from https://phys.org/news/ 2023-09-meat-alternatives-slash-food-emissions.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability --------------------------------------------------------------------- 129 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors [INS::INS] * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Some stick insects that normally reproduce through parthenogenesis found to mate on occasion 3 hours ago 0 Experiments on fossilized insects help reveal their true colors 4 hours ago 0 Common statistical principles of scaling found in nature now seen in human cells 7 hours ago 0 Astronomers investigate spectral evolution of XTE J1810-189 9 hours ago 0 Using a gyroscope to measure variations in Earth's rotation Sep 19, 2023 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Scientists unravel the chemical mechanism behind silica-coated nanodiamonds 1 hour ago [gif] NASA team simulates a glimpse of our galaxy in gravitational waves 1 hour ago [gif] Exploring the mind-mitochondria connection 1 hour ago [gif] New research findings: Understanding the sex life of coral gives hope of clawing it back from the path to extinction 2 hours ago [gif] Researchers advance topological superconductors for quantum computing 2 hours ago [gif] Socially vulnerable populations are disproportionately exposed to wildfires in the West, study finds 2 hours ago [gif] Researchers make sand that flows uphill 3 hours ago [gif] Some stick insects that normally reproduce through parthenogenesis found to mate on occasion 3 hours ago [gif] New self-cleaning membranes developed by researchers dramatically improve efficiency of desalination technologies 3 hours ago [gif] Researchers develop biodegradable optical fiber to measure or modulate electrical current in the body 3 hours ago [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability Sep 12, 2023 [gif] Change food choices to increase chances of tackling global warming, say researchers Jun 15, 2023 [gif] Dataset confirms that a vegan diet is dramatically better across a range of environmental measures Jul 24, 2023 [gif] Diet change needed to save vast areas of tropics, study warns Aug 12, 2019 [gif] Which diet will help save our planet: Climatarian, flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan? Aug 15, 2022 [gif] The UK urgently needs to cut its methane emissions by 2030: cows and sheep hold the key to success Jul 5, 2022 * Recommended for you [gif] Socially vulnerable populations are disproportionately exposed to wildfires in the West, study finds 2 hours ago [gif] Court action necessary to establish climate stability as protected right to break climate change impasse, says professor 4 hours ago [gif] Examining how much wildfire smoke influences air quality trends 6 hours ago [gif] Alarming results from world-first study of two decades of global smoke pollution 8 hours ago [gif] New research brings greater understanding of Asian winter monsoon 8 hours ago [gif] Research finds ponds release more greenhouse gas than they store Sep 19, 2023 Load comments (1) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Meat, milk alternatives could slash food system emissions a third: study Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2023 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use Your Privacy This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Ok Cookie options E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast