A Plant-Based Diet Will Help Address Climate Change

A recent report by a major Australian medical group warns that climate change poses a major threat to people's physical and mental health. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, representing more than 15,000 experts, published a detailed statement on climate change and health and the health benefits of mitigating climate change.

The statement says that climate change poses a threat to human health but can be mitigated by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They listed reducing agricultural emissions as one of the main mitigation strategies most relevant to Australia and New Zealand. They emphasized that plant-based food production emits less than animal products.

These statements listed land clearing and livestock production as having a significant impact on both climate change and human health. Note that the vast majority of land clearing in Australia is for livestock farming.

Other key points raised by the doctors' organization include:

• "Widespread adoption of a plant-based diet - one rich in fruits and vegetables and low in meat, eggs, and dairy - will reduce deforestation and livestock emissions. A plant-based diet can also reduce the incidence of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes."

• "Deforestation and land clearing are major problems in Australia and New Zealand, where some of the world's best carbon-sequestering forests are still being cleared. Maintaining forests and reducing land clearing also benefits biodiversity, air and water quality, recreational activities, and mental health."

• "Industrial urbanization is replacing traditional plant-based diets with diets rich in refined sugar, fat, oil, and meat."

• Excessive "red meat consumption [...] is associated with an increased incidence of colon cancer, obesity, and heart disease."

• "By shifting to a plant-based diet, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and food production can be reduced."

• "Compared with a diet high in meat, especially processed meat, plant-based food production is less energy-intensive and produces fewer emissions."

• "A plant-based diet is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Researchers estimate that by 2050, transitioning to a more plant-based diet (while still meeting standard guidelines) could reduce global mortality by 6-10% and food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 29-70%."

• The College of Physicians plans to "raise awareness of the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet" and provide "the community with advice on a healthy plant-based diet."

• "The RACP calls on the Australian and New Zealand governments to promote low-carbon food production systems."

We appreciate this respected medical body clearly stating that a plant-based diet is more beneficial to human health, both directly as food and indirectly as a way to reduce the negative impact of climate change on humans.