ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Americans don’t talk about the environmental impact of their food — and that’s a problem

Food production accounts for 30% of the global emissions -- but we rarely talk about it.

Fermin KoopbyFermin Koop
February 18, 2020
in Climate, Environment, News, Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Tackling climate change isn’t just about expanding renewable energy or setting up clean public transportation. Changing diets also plays a big role, as food production accounts for up to 30% of the total global emissions. Nevertheless, not that many are aware of that, a new survey showed.

Reducing meat consumption is one of the most eco-friendly things you can do — but we don’t really talk about it enough. Image Credits: Wikipedia Commons

The report “Climate Change and the American Diet” showed that 51% of those surveyed in the US are willing to eat more plant-based foods but claimed not to have sufficient information about the footprint of their food choices.

Up to 70% don’t talk about the link between food and climate change with their friends and family, the report showed. At the same time, almost two-thirds said they were never asked to change to a diet with more plant-based foods – with half of those surveyed claiming to have never heard about this topic in the media.

Only 4% of Americans described themselves as vegan or vegetarian, but up to 20% said to eat plant-based food two to five times a week or even more. About the same percentage of people claimed to avoid companies not addressing their environmental impact.

The findings are part of a national survey done in December 2019 to 1.043 American adults, carried out by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and Earth Day Network.

“Many American consumers are interested in eating a healthier and climate-friendly diet,” said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “However, many simply don’t know yet which products are better or worse — a huge communication opportunity for food producers, distributors and sellers.”

Information wasn’t the only barrier identified by Americans to shift to plant-based diets. As part of the survey costs, taste and accessibility also ranked high. Almost half of those surveyed (49%) think a mean that has a plant-based main course is more expensive than a meal with meat as the main course.

More than four in ten Americans said they dislike the taste of plant-based foods, with two in tree claiming they would be open to eating them instead of meat if they tasted better. At the same time, 77% of those surveyed said to ease and speed of preparation is important when choosing to purchase or eat plant-based food

RelatedPosts

Urban areas can do a lot to support bees and other pollinators, new study concludes
With our current path, the planet is set to warm by 3 degrees Celsius. Here’s what that means
Climate change has never been more polarized by partisan belief. Say ‘thanks’ to mainstream media
Trump’s response to California fires paints a dire picture for climate change

Changing food production and consumption is critical to reducing the impacts of global warming, but not many made that connection. More than half of those surveyed said meat production only contributed “a little” to global warming. Four in ten Americans think beef doesn’t contribute to global warming at all.

“This data is a wake-up call for the climate movement,” said Jillian Semaan, Food and Environment Director, Earth Day Network. “Animal agriculture is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis, we need to provide people with the relevant information that connects food choices, animal agriculture, and climate change.’

Without drastic changes in the way we eat, use the land and farm, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change will fall short, climate experts have repeatedly warned.

It’s not that you have to completely give up meat (though that can help) — a balanced diet with more plant-based options presents more opportunities to adapt and mitigate climate change. It’s something we should definitely consider, and start talking about more.

Tags: climate changeenvironmentfood

ShareTweetShare
Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop is a reporter from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds an MSc from Reading University (UK) on Environment and Development and is specialized in environment and climate change news.

Related Posts

Health

This anti-aging drug extends life as effectively as restricting calories

byZahida Sultanova
2 weeks ago
Climate

Climate Change Unleashed a Hidden Wave That Triggered a Planetary Tremor

byMihai Andrei
2 weeks ago
Champiñón Hongos Naturaleza Setas Reino Fungi
Animal facts

What do Fungi, Chameleons, and Humans All Have in Common? We’re all Heterotrophs

byShiella Olimpos
4 weeks ago
Climate

Climate Change Is Rewriting America’s Gardening Map and Some Plants Can’t Keep Up

byGrace van Deelen
1 month ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.