Food Choices

The food we choose to consume not only affects our well-being but also plays a significant role in shaping the health of our planet. Our food choices profoundly impact the environment as they influence land use, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. Adopting sustainable and plant-based diets can help mitigate these environmental effects and foster a healthier planet for all.

The following line chart (Fig. 1) showcases the total greenhouse gas emissions – measured in CO₂eq across different food industries accounting for different processes.

From the chart (Fig. 1) , Beef leads in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to produce beef to meet consumer demand, farming industries pack cows into cramped spaces, called feedlots, where each animal has little to no room to move. The more farmers pack, the more CO2 is released into the atmosphere from cows' respiratory systems and farts. Not to mention cows require food and water to grow, and in order to feed these cows, trees need to be cut down to cultivate feed for them and our freshwater sources need to be used. They also take the longest to develop in comparison to pigs and chickens, contributing to longer depletion times of oxygen and resources, and longer times to emit CO2.

Total greenhouse gas emissions – measured in CO₂eq per kilogram of food.

Fig.1 Food: greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain

Tree Map of Farm Emissions Across Various Food Industires

Fig. 2 Food: greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain

As seen in the previous data visualization, farm emissions make up the majority across the supply chain which is why this tree map (Fig. 2) focuses on just that. Once more, the meat industry continues to have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, with beef standing out as the leading contributor.

Map of the global relationship to the production of Red Meat

Fig.3 Our World in Data

As we learned in Fig. 1, Red Meat Beef is one the primary culprits in polluting our Environment, accounting for over 15% of total global emissions. These greenhouse gases heavily contribute to the pertinent issue of climate change and the extent to which some countries are responsible is modeled in Fig.3.

Share of calories in the average diet sourced from animal protein measured as the percentage of daily caloric intake, versus GDP per capita

The bar graphs on the right (Fig. 8) demonstrate the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the United States when compared to the percent of calorie intake from animal products sold and consumed. The graph illustrates this in years. Additionally showing the increase in revenue and production in the animal protein industry. This data goes back more than 40 years. It also shows that the GDP keeps increasing as the years progress. Unfortunately, there also means more mass meat production, in turn equaling a greater carbon footprint.

Fig.8 Share of calories from animal protein vs. GDP per capita United States, 2018

Share of calories in the average diet sourced from animal protein measured as the percentage of daily caloric intake, versus GDP per capita

Fig.9 Table Demonstrating Quanities

Fig.10 share of calories of animal proteins vs GDP Per Capita in the US

The graph above (Fig. 10) puts into perspective how much the GDP affects the shared calories of animal proteins

The table to the left (Fig. 9) displays all the data. Expanding the gravity of how negatively this contributes to the health of our planet.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse