Eating less meat is healthy and environmentally friendly (explaining vegetarianism)

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Reducing meat production and consumption by 30 percent would help to cut carbon emissions and improve health in the countries that consume the most meat, scientists said on Wednesday. Using prediction models, British and Australian researchers found that improving efficiency, increasing carbon capture, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels in agriculture would not be sufficient to achieve emission targets. However, combining these measures with a 30 percent reduction in livestock production in major meat-producing countries, along with a similar reduction in meat consumption, would yield “substantial improvements in public health” and help reduce emissions, they said. The study found that in Britain, a 30 percent reduction in adults’ intake of saturated fats from animal sources could reduce premature deaths from heart disease by about 17 percent – equivalent to preventing 18,000 premature deaths per year. In São Paulo, Brazil, it could result in as many as 1,000 premature deaths avoided each year, according to the researchers. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from meat production, and experts say rising demand for meat, especially in countries with growing economies, could lead to an 85 percent increase in livestock production by 2030 compared to 2000 levels. The scientists emphasized the need for global action to maximize the benefits of reducing meat production and consumption, noting that the environmental advantages “may apply only in those countries that currently have high levels of meat production.” The study was published in the medical journal The Lancet as part of a series on climate change and health ahead of the global climate summit in Copenhagen next month. In a second study, British scientists found that increased walking and cycling, along with reduced use of cars, would have a greater impact on health than the use of low-emission vehicles in rich and middle-income countries. Andrew Haines, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and head of the research series, said that delegates at Copenhagen needed “to understand the potential health impacts of their plans.” Researchers in the UK and Australia, through studies using predictive models, found that merely improving energy efficiency, increasing carbon capture, and reducing agriculture’s reliance on fossil fuels are not sufficient to achieve emission reduction targets. However, researchers say that if, on this basis, livestock production and meat consumption in the major meat-producing countries are each reduced by 30%, it could \"significantly improve people’s health\" while reducing carbon emissions. Studies have found that in the UK, if adults reduce their intake of saturated animal fats by 30%, the number of premature deaths due to heart disease could be reduced by 17%, which is equivalent to preventing 18,000 premature deaths per year. Researchers say that in São Paulo, Brazil, this means that 1,000 premature deaths can be avoided each year. Data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization shows that 18% of greenhouse gas emissions come from meat production. Experts say that by 2030, the growing demand for meat, especially in developing economies, will drive livestock production to increase by 85% compared to the level in 2000. Scientists say that countries around the world need to take action to maximize the benefits of reducing meat production and consumption; the environmental advantages resulting from this \"may apply only to those countries with high current meat production levels\". The research report was published in the medical journal The Lancet, which has been releasing a series of articles on climate change and health ahead of next month’s Global Environment Summit in Copenhagen. In another study, British scientists found that in wealthy and middle-income countries, walking and cycling more and driving less offer far greater health benefits than using low-emission vehicles. Andrew Haines, head of the series of studies and director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said that the delegates at the Copenhagen summit need to “recognize the potential impact of the plans they devise on health.” Reposted from Hai Ci Happy English, for sharing among Hai friends