"A plant-based diet requires about one fourth as much energy as a diet rich in red meat," Brown said in a statement. "The reduction in carbon emissions in shifting from a red meat-rich diet to a plant-based diet is about the same as that in shifting from a Chevrolet Suburban SUV to a Toyota Prius hybrid car."Brown points out that even vegetables have their environmental cost.
Most Americans have come to take for granted fresh strawberries shipped 4,800 kilometres from the West to East Coast, fresh green beans from Kenya and fresh mangoes from Mexico. All consume huge amounts of fuel for transport, contributing to the carbon emissions blamed for global warming. earthtimes.com
By the same token, "westernizing" Asian and other plant based cultures by adding more meat results in more energy needed to feed more people.
I've heard this too about red meat. Personally, when I cook I try to use meat as a complement to the dish rather than as a centerpiece. I try to eat foods that are in season too (mostly because I expect those foods to be fresher), but admittedly it can be hard.
At least this shows that there are many ways a person can act to have a positive effect on combating Global Warming. If you can't give up the SUV, maybe you can give up the red meat.
This summer I planted about $4 of seeds in the backyard.
I had tomatoes and cucumbers from Jun through November. I was trying to think of how many truck miles would be saved if neighborhoods could cultivate micro farming in backyards that receive normal cycles of rain, not to mention not having to drive to the store.
I was looking a wild frozen salmon a few months ago. It was caught in Alaska, packaged in China and then shipped to York.
A massive amount of fuel is used in a global food economy. It has expanded to a point to where the consumer has little control of content and source.
Neighborhood gardens and local cooperatives like goldfinchfarm.com help cut the transportation carbon. And as a bonus, it's great to have a hand , literally, in your food.