This episode features the guest host Pranet Commar. Vinisha and Pranet discuss various diets' impact on the environment. The highest deterring factor to reduce meat consumption is the deliciousness of meat, least was people who have little concern for climate change. The highest encouraging factors included conserving earth’s resources, least was the alternative plant-based meats. Because of erosion and weather patterns, agricultural farming can increase the plant biodiversity, and nutrients within the soil, but requires pesticides. Meat production requires lots of clean water, which is scarce in some areas, so these dry regions grow crops instead. These water withdrawals increase salinity and decrease the productivity of plants. Food production increases with the population, resulting in the decline of land availability. Trees are cut down to make room for livestock farms, meat industry futhers deforestation with soil erosion. We have to limit food loss, but it is sometimes inevitable on farms, and because of cosmetic imperfections and misjudging our food needs. Sustainable diets include vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, pesco pollo vegetarians, pescatarians, flexitarians and vegans. Your dietary needs meet your nutritional needs, your individual needs based on whatever diet you follow and religious needs. Dietary changes could significantly reduce carbon emission and free up land.
To acquire more information, refer to these sources:
https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/how-does-eating-meat-harm-the-environment/
https://populationeducation.org/industrialized-meat-production-and-land-degradation-3-reasons-to-shift-to-a-plant-based-diet/
https://www.earthshare.org/how-does-your-diet-impact-the-environment/
https://www.insider.com/nestle-water-scarcity-meat-consumption-cable-2016-4
https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/eatgreenfs_feb2010.pdf
Time Stamps: 2:20 - What is a mixed method approach?
2:58 - Deterring and encouraging factors to reduce meat consumption
5:24 - Increasing human ecological footprints
10:38 - Benefits of having a plant based diet in terms of land & water ways
12:20 - Agricultural farming
14:03 - Pollution from cattle
15:08 - Heath problems associated with Vegan/ Vegetarian diet
17:35 - Meat based diet impact on the water supply
20:01 - Water withdrawal
20:43 - How has the need for farming changed overtime?
23:23 - Soil Erosion
26:13 - Deforestation plays a role in meat based products and effects of agriculture
27:45 - Food waste
37:19 - Sustainable diets that are great for us and the environment
44:14 - How is reducing the amount of food bought at the store beneficial to the environment and your wallet?
46:00 - Facts and statistics
49:05 - What does it mean to eat according towards your needs?
51:10 - Carbon Footprint, Farmer’s market vs Bigger corporations
56:06 - Plastic Statistics