If it is true we are what we eat, it is also true that what we eat can change the world. It is no longer enough to reduce fossil fuels in industries, turn off the light and take a bicycle: global warming can only be stopped if we change our lifestyle, starting with food.
According to forecasts, in 2050 the agricultural sector could produce, from the EU alone, more than a third of land gas emissions, responsible for the increase in temperatures. In particular, the sector of livestock is responsible for almost 15% of global emissions, higher than those produced by all cars, trucks, planes, trains and ships in the world. Red meat provides only 1% of calories to the world's population, while it accounts for 25% of all emissions from livestock and agriculture. Furthermore, intensive farming also contributes to the formation of fine particles, those tiny particles capable of penetrating our lungs and entering our blood.
Many studies also testify that climate change can favor the spread of pathogens and the emergence of new epidemics. At the same time, the number of people suffering from hunger continues to rise and the Coronavirus pandemic is seriously jeopardizing the food and nutrition security of more than 130 million units. Among the key factors is climate variability.
According to the UN, the most suitable diets to reduce pollution and preserve health are five: Mediterranean, climatic carnivorous, pescetarian, vegetarian and vegan. However, you don't necessarily have to give up red meat to make a difference: you can choose to reduce your consumption. But plant-based protein sources (legumes, whole grains, and nuts) are the most climate-friendly options. In general, an average westerner should double the consumption of vegetables compared to its standards.
An ecological change at the table now seems inevitable, as also underlined in the book by Eliana Liotta"The food that will save us” presents for the first time a reflection that starts from a scientific approach, both from an ecological and nutritional point of view, with the advice of the European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE, European Institute for the Economy and the Environment) and the EAT Project of the San Donato Group Foundation.
The book presents the five diets proposed by the UN, both eco-carnivorous and vegetable, capable at the same time of mitigating polluting emissions and the state of health. There Mediterranean diet it includes plenty of vegetables, red meat only once a week and moderate consumption of dairy products. There climate carnivore diet: which reduces ruminant meat and dairy products (beef, kid, veal and lamb have the greatest climate impact per gram of protein). That pescetarian instead it involves the consumption of fish but not of meat and in some variants not even of dairy products. Then there's the diet vegetarian: excludes meat and fish but not eggs, milk and dairy products. Vegan diet: only admits vegetable sources and excludes any product of vegetable origin.
Therefore, planet-friendly food is also our health's best friend. If the world population managed to double its vegetable consumption by 2050, global warming would be halted and more than 11 million deaths a year due to bad eating habits. How to avoid it? Focusing on innovation, fighting food waste and increasing the population's food education with eco-sustainable agriculture.
