The big omission fro the emissions debate capacity to warm the atmo- significant reductions if enough apnoea cpipiommm tener selbeaeacineios Cue eae eee ae See earn ae ee ee fing, More than 190 countries times moreheat-absorptive _and lower risks for cardiovas- committed to greenhouse gas over a 100-year period, and cular disease, high blood pres- (GHG) reductions and pledged the warming potential of i-__ sure, type Il diabetes, and some to review and revise those tar- trous oxide is almost 200 times forms of cancer. Increasingly, ‘gets every five years astech- higher. CO2 emissions promote medical authorities are reallz~ Hnological advancements per- atmospheric warming over___ing that most prevalent chronic mit further reductions. These centuries, but methane and ni- health conditions can be pre- Agreements also acknowledged trous oxide emissions are like vented, treated, and, in some the importance of adaptation, throwing gasoline on a fire. eases, even reversed by the: especially by developing econ- Without a doubt CO2emis- adoption of a plant-based diet. s ‘mies, and the need forde- _ sions reductions will be re- The vast majority of politi 5 ‘eloped nations to help those quired to address the threat cians from both the left and ) couritries meet their targets. of global warming, but redue- the right haven't yet shown the ‘The ultimate aim ofthese ef tions in methane and nitrous courage to acknowledge the forts is to limit global warming oxide emissions are also crit- link between diet and emis~ ‘tono more than 2.70 F (1.50 C) ical. In fact, reducing those _sions. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), t above pre-industrial levels. Al- emissions now can help Keep among pethaps the most vocal though these ambitious com- the planet cooler in the short champions of GHG reduetion, mitments remain voluntary run as we continue to take the points an accusatory finger at ‘and largely unenforceable, they necessary measures to reduce the fossil fuel industry, but has do efiect a shared recognition the long-term impact of CO2 —_thus far been silent on the sig- ‘that GHG reductions are neees- emissions. nifieant methane and nitrous sary to avoid many of the worst _ Many scientists believe that oxide contributions from the impacts ofclimate changeon the most dangerous effects of | powerful meat and dairy indus~ the physical, economic, food _ climate change can be avoided _ tries in his own state, Neverthe- ‘and water security of popula- only if warming is kept below less, the facts don’t lie, and re- ‘tions around the world. 3.60 FQ 00), which necessi- _cent studies from the UN Food ‘The world is right tobe con- tates that global GHGemis- and Agricultural Organization, cerned about the prospects of sions are reduced from today’s World Watch, and Chatham. severe climate change, and we levels of 54 Dillons tons (CO2 ‘House, all converge on the ne- should encourage governments -equivalent) annually to around cessity of reducing our con- and industry to do their part 25.4 billion tons by 2050; how- sumption of meat, dairy, and ‘to reduce emissions contribu- ever. if global meat and dairy _eggs if global emission targets tions, but we must each do our consumption continues torise, are to be achieved. part as well. Driving amore at projected rates, emissions ‘By all means, drive a hybrid, ‘fuel-efficient vehicle, usingless from the agricultural sector take mass transportation, re electricity and recycling are all alone will rise to nearly 20 bil- duce electricity usage and reey~ ‘good ways to reduice emissions; lion tons by 2050, leaving only cle, but if we are serious about however, while much attention a fraction for other sectors of doing our part to slow climate | ispaid to the reduction of CO2 the global economy. Since it is change, then most of us also fossil fuel emissions, rare in- extremely unlikely that these _need to shift to amore plant- deed are discussions about the _ sectors will reduce their emis- based diet. Ibwould not only impact of our dietary choices sions to such low levels by ‘be good for you and the planet, on GHG emissions. Even the mid-century, the only way we ut it would also be a boon to, ‘most ardent heralds of climate can realistically maintain to- our local economy, the “salad. ‘change seem unwilling to ac-_ tal emissions below the dan- ow!" of America. ‘knowledge the fact that animal ger threshold is to reduce the agriculture is responsible for al- amount of animal foods we ‘Roberé Lucius is the founder most 8 billion tons (7G) of produce and consume. ofa local plant-based diet ‘CO equivalent emissions each ‘The good news is that peo: __edducation and advocacy group io ‘year; roughly the same asthe ple who consume plant-based (VegHeads of Monterey Bay). Fs otal exhaust emissions of all _ det containing little or no ‘He works for an international ‘the world’s vehicles. ‘meat, eggs or dairy products ‘Animal agriculture is the _have an emission footprint that single largest source of meth- is about half of that for individ- ane and nitrous oxide emis- _uals who eat a typical western: sions, two gasses that are far diet. Even just skipping meat ‘more dangerous than CO2due and other animal products one to their exponentially higher day aweekean translate into lives in Pacific Grove. sm a