Study: Some veggies worse for the Environment that Meat

Boges · December 16, 2015

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lettuce-produces-more-greenhouse-gas-emissions-than-bacon-does/

The reason for this is because on a per-calorie basis, many fruits, vegetables, dairy and seafood—the foods the USDA pushes in the guidelines over sugary processed food and fats—are relatively resource-intensive, the study finds. Lettuce, for example, produces three times more greenhouse gas emissions than bacon.

"You cannot just jump and assume that any vegetarian diet is going to have a low impact on the environment," said Paul Fischbeck, professor of social and decision sciences and engineering and public policy and one of the authors of the study. "There are many that do, but not all. You can't treat all fruits and veggies as good for the environment."

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of life-cycle assessments quantifying the water, energy use and emissions for more than 100 foods. They found fruits have the largest water and energy footprint per calorie. Meat and seafood have the highest greenhouse gas emissions per calorie.

I remember reading that the Almond crop in California uses an ungodly amount of Water. And when you think about it, in most of us, especially here in Canada, need fresh veggies imported from abroad while meat can be produced locally. I'm sure there's also a lot more waste in fruits and vegetables as many can't be frozen and used the same way as with meats which can be frozen all the time.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Boges

Topaz · December 16, 2015

I would think what u put INTO your body would harm u faster than the environment and that goes for tobacco, alcohol, drugs and certain foods.

cannuck · January 16, 2016

While I agree strongly with both of these posts, what I find missing is the recognition that the "problem" we have with emissions, resource consumption and sustainability overall is one of population, not efficiencies.