FAQ
Environment
“Regenerative grazing solves climate change”
Soil carbon sequestration can occur in some contexts, but it is typically limited, saturates over time, and can be reversed; it often does not fully...
Environment
Environment
Environmental impact of food choices
8 articles in this topic
8 FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions(8)
FAQ
Environment
“Local meat is better than imported plants” (food miles)
For most foods, production emissions dominate over transport emissions—especially for ruminant meat and dairy. Eating local can help in some cases,...
FAQ
Environment
Pollution, eutrophication, and runoff
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture drive eutrophication and dead zones; livestock manure and fertilizer used to grow feed are major...
FAQ
Environment
Water use
Water footprints vary widely by food and region; some plant foods are water-intensive. But many animal products also have high water footprints due to...
FAQ
Environment
Land use & biodiversity
Most global agricultural land is used for livestock (grazing and feed), and shifting toward plant-forward diets can reduce land use and pressure on...
FAQ
Environment
“Plant-based is more efficient (thermodynamics / trophic levels)”
Converting crops into animal products loses energy and protein at each trophic step, so producing animal calories/protein generally requires more land...
FAQ
Environment
“Plant-based diets reduce emissions”
Dietary shifts toward plant-forward patterns are repeatedly identified as major levers to reduce food-system emissions, land use, and other impacts....
FAQ
Environment
“Livestock GHG emissions are low / numbers are fake”
Multiple assessments find livestock contributes a substantial share of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; the exact percentage varies by...
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