Plant-Based for the Environment
If there was one thing that we could do every day that would make a life-long impact, what would it be?
This month’s blog topic is focused on our planet and the environment that we live in. Each of us may see something different as we look out the window. Some may see tall buildings and bustling streets and others may see cornfields and farmland as far as the eye can see. No matter what we see from our window, we all share one single thing, the earth.
With research, we have been able to learn more about preserving the environment even with a few small changes and choices. From reducing and recycling to re-using, the small decisions that we make every day can impact the future ahead of us. By recycling, it conserves energy, reduces air and water pollution, reduces greenhouse gasses and conserves natural resources (Stanford University, n.d.).
•Saves Energy
When you recycle aluminum cans, you can save 95% of the energy required to produce those cans from raw materials, energy saved from recycling one glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb for four hours.
•Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When you recycle products, you tend to save energy, which results in less greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are primarily responsible for an increase in global warming. It helps to reduce air and water pollution by cutting down the number of pollutants that are released into the environment.
•Conserve Natural Resources
Scrap cars, old bottles, junk mail and used rubber tires are becoming common features of our landfills. Recycling allows all of these junk items to be used over and over again so that new resources do not have to be exploited. It conserves natural resources such as water, minerals, coal, oil, gas and timber. (Conserve Energy Future , n.d.)
In addition to the many small improvements that we can make in our day to day lives like reusing and repurposing, the food we purchase and enjoy with our family is also something that can be helpful in creating a better future. In today’s marketplace, there are a lot more options than there was ten years ago, making it easier and less intimidating to try new foods. With the addition of new plant-based options like burgers, flavored tofu, seitan, soymilk and more, the desire to consume plant-based foods is easier than ever.
According to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine “researchers found that food production is responsible for up to 30 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, with animal products accounting for the vast majority—about three-quarters—of these effects. The report states that projections for the future show that “vegan and vegetarian diets were associated with the greatest reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions” (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, n.d.).
In addition, meat and dairy products lead the way in using large quantities of water. Producing just a pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water whereas a plant-based burger has 99% less water impact on land use (Make Your Next Meal Plant-Based , n.d.).
By adapting to new eating habits, there can be a large impact on our environment. PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) states that “a dietary pattern that is higher in plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and lower in animal-based foods is more health promoting and is associated with lesser environmental impact (GHG emissions and energy, land, and water use) than is the current average U.S. diet” (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, n.d.).
Whether you choose soymilk over dairy milk or swap Chicken for Vegan Chicken Seitan, these daily choices paired with other environmentally focused decisions like recycling, reducing, and reusing will make an impact for the future ahead.
To learn more about Plant-Based Eating and the Environment, please visit: A Vegan Diet: Eating for the Environment (pcrm.org)