Know Your Plate (KYP) for Climate Change. Are you a Climate Change Hero or a Villain? Let’s check it.

We are all aware of KYCs (Know Your Customer) because they are constantly communicated by either banking institutions or the government, and we are well warned to face financial/transactional challenges if we don’t take them seriously. However, awareness about our plate is low; in other words, we have become slaves to our taste buds and cravings, as we tend to neglect the fact that a few foods are not only impacting our health but also damaging our environment and several species, which are either vanishing or on the verge of extinction.

Non-vegetarian diets rely heavily on Animal-based products, which are one of the major culprits contributing to climate change. 

Do I seem unrealistic? Let me share some data for your reference.

Driving factors of Climate Change:

• Methane Emission: As we are aware, our meat comes from industrialized sources, where cattle rearing is one of the most profitable businesses. However, the production of meat also leads to methane emissions during the digestion process of cattle. Additionally, methane is 25 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than CO2. Thus, it is entirely up to us to take actionable steps, as we want to keep environmental protection in the kids’ civics and social studies books, or we would like to take this further by spreading awareness, starting from our households.

 

• Water Consumption: Water Consumption in meat production is the highest; to produce 1 kg of Meat, it requires 15,400 Liters of water, whereas it is just 322 Liters for vegetables and 1,644 liters for cereals. Now it is up to us to evaluate whether we will still promote non-vegetarian diets after understanding that they consume 50 times more water than vegetables.

 

• Food Wastage: We have all likely observed that the leftover food in our refrigerators, food spoiled during transportation, and food on store shelves, among other factors, compound the emission issue, as they contribute to a problem that accounts for approximately 10% of global emissions. Furthermore, there is no penalization for wasting food; 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally, which is one-third of all the food produced globally (FAO). Hence, it is our primary responsibility to reduce food waste at every level.

• Deforestation: Deforestation is not only occurring due to Infrastructural development, but it is also taking place due to the shift in Food consumption patterns.  For reference, rapid deforestation is ongoing in the Amazon forests, with 70% of the deforestation directly attributed to cattle ranching. Forests are called the ‘ lungs of the Earth’, and we are intoxicating our earth not only by increasing our carbon footprints, but also by cutting trees and pasturelands and eliminating mangroves, which are significantly contributing to climatic disasters.

Initiatives to stop Climate Change at the Global Level

We have seen initiatives and efforts to address this global issue which could be seen through various international treaties and conventions like the Paris Agreement (2015), FAO’s Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, EAT-Lancet Commission (2019), and 17 Sustainable Development Goals are agreed to work upon the issues related to climate change, which hampers not only the humans but all the species on this planet earth.

 

What are the potential Solutions to stop environmental degradation at an individual level?

1. Community-level awareness and efforts: If we expect change from a particular institution or the body, it may not be effective, as it requires behavioral and awareness level changes, which can only be achieved when the whole community takes accountability and responsibility for their actions. Hence, the institution should provide a platform and opportunities for the community to come together and take action. For example, In India, the “Clean India Movement, called ‘Swhachata Abhiyan” brought all the countrymen together and our cities started ranking in the global cleanliness ranking, however, we are also in the top polluted list, but that shows that unified efforts could lead to the change we want to see.  To supplement this, we can promote the composting of food waste, share surplus food with those who need it most, and support communities that are working voluntarily to reduce waste and emissions.
2. Education and Awareness: The most crucial step is where the government can step in and raise awareness in the community about the issue, rather than focusing solely on the taxes collected from meat-producing companies. They should particularly highlight the carbon footprint of the community’s dietary actions, and specific taxes should be levied as a policy-level change on consumers of meat and producers of meat to reduce consumption and safeguard the nation’s interests towards the environment and sustainability.
3. Shift towards Plant-based diets: We understand the logic behind protein requirements and the availability of amino acids; however, some foods may not be as tasty as meat, but they can supplement your nutritional needs. Furthermore, plant-based diets are healthier options, as supported by studies, which suggest that reducing meat consumption could significantly reduce the risk of multiple gut diseases and prevent cancer cell development. For meat lovers, reducing their consumption of meat will help reduce their carbon footprint, and they can join the “Climate Saviours Club” in their quest to safeguard life on Earth for future generations. Eating Organic or natural food occasionally will not suffice, and it will remain just for your Instagram selfies, Facebook stories, and reels. We need to introspect on how our lifestyle contributes to GHGs and how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

To conclude, Knowing your Plate (KYP) could be a game changer, as it will determine your contribution towards making the world more holistic, diverse, and suitable for all species. If you possess the above qualities, you are a Climate Change Ambassador and certainly a hero who is leading us to a better future.