Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger detailed at the United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference that eating a vegetarian diet can save the world. However, recent reports have indicated that a vegetarian diet could contribute to climate change.
According to a research from Carnegie Mellon University, they found out that following the recommended USDA consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy and seafood may be much more harmful to the environment.
Why is this so? Mainly because these food groups have relatively high resource uses and greenhouse gas output (GHG). GHG emissions per calorie released into the atmosphere is not a positive effect.
The study which was published in Environment Systems and Decisions indicated that the measurements taken from the changes in energy use, blue water footprint and GHG output are associated with food consumption.
Professor Paul Fischbeck, of Social and Decisions Sciences and Engineering and Public Policy explains, "Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon," He means that tons of vegetables require a lot more resources per calorie than what we normally know. "Eggplant, celery and cucumbers look particularly bad when compared to chicken."
Other studies have also examined the connection of the growing obesity in the United States and its affect to the environment. Michelle Tom, Ph. D., studied the supply chain and found that growing and processing food for sales alone can take a toll on energy resources, such as water.
Though there are positive effects coming from healthy diets - that if Americans are able to control obesity and weight control - its advantage to the environment reduces energy use by 9%. This is the positive outlook they are forecasting if everybody controls their food intake.
But that doesn't change the fact that currently there are increased environmental impact in energy use by 38%, water use by 10% and GHG emissions by 6%.
Tom says it's a complex relationship:
What is good for us health-wise isn't always what's best for the environment. That's important for public officials to know and for them to be cognizant of these tradeoffs as they develop or continue to develop dietary guidelines in the future."
Further studies are still being conducted but maybe balance is the key. as reports indicated.
