Amsterdam, Netherlands – Global meat and dairy production and consumption must be cut in half by 2050 to avoid dangerous climate change and keep the Paris Agreement on track, says a new Greenpeace report. If left unchecked, agriculture is projected to produce 52% of global greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades, 70% of which will come from meat and dairy. [1]
The report also finds that increased production and consumption of meat is behind a latent global health crisis. High red meat consumption has been linked to cancer, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, while millions of lives could be saved each year if people had access to a diet rich in plant-based foods. Industrial animal agriculture is also associated with antimicrobial resistance – which the World Health Organization declared a “global health emergency” – and is a significant source of foodborne pathogens. [2]
Bunny McDiarmid, Executive Director of Greenpeace International said:
“Something is rotten in our food system. Governments continue to support massive meat and dairy operations, leading to more and more meat consumption while putting our health, our children’s health, and the health of our planet at risk. Instead, they should be supporting the increasing numbers of farmers shifting towards ecological production of healthy foods, and helping people access healthy plant-based foods.
“A new, diverse global movement is growing: one hungry for a better way of eating and producing food that is in tune with ourselves and the environment. Together, we can loosen the grip of industrial animal agriculture on our food system and build a healthier world for our generation and the next.”
In response to the rising impacts of animal agriculture on public health, the environment, and the climate, Greenpeace is launching a new global campaign calling for a major shift in the way we eat and the way we farm. Greenpeace calls for a 50% reduction of meat and dairy and a significant increase of plant-based in both production and consumption by 2050.
Pete Smith, Former Convening Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said: “The need to reduce demand for livestock products is now a scientifically mainstream view. Only a significant decrease in meat and milk consumption will allow us to deliver a food system fit for the future – for the benefit of humans and the planet as a whole. Producing the same mix of foods as we consume now, even if we were to do so more sustainably, cannot deliver the reduction in environmental impacts we need to protect the planet for our children and their children.”
The report also explores other environmental impacts of animal agriculture’s rapid expansion in the last several decades. Since 1970, the Earth has lost half of its wildlife but tripled its livestock population. Livestock production now occupies 26% of land on Earth. [3]
Greenpeace calls on governments to end policies that support industrial meat and dairy production, and instead help farmers shift towards ecological methods of growing crops and raising an amount of livestock that the planet can sustain. Greenpeace also urges governments to make healthy, plant-based foods more available, and calls on people around the world to join the movement for less meat and dairy and a healthier planet.
“What we decide to eat, as individuals and as a global society, is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction,” added McDiarmid.
ENDS
Notes:
[1] Less is More: Reducing meat and dairy for a healthier life and planet, Greenpeace International.
[2] World Health Organization.
[3] Less is More: Reducing meat and dairy for a healthier life and planet, Greenpeace International.
Read our vision, Less is More: Reducing meat and dairy for a healthier life and planet, and the scientific background here.
Images available here: http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJXWWYYQ
Contacts:
Dawn Bickett, Meat and Dairy Comms Lead, Greenpeace International (based in the US), [email protected], +1 510 552 4984
Christina Koll, Meat and Dairy Comms Lead, Greenpeace Nordic (based in Denmark), [email protected], +45 2810 9021
Greenpeace International Press Desk (available 24 hours): [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470
Discussion
https://green-watch.net/greenpeace-under-fire-for-carbon-footprint-hypocrisy-5eb2a2704199 Hypocrites and non-science-based campaigns. Do you dare to do a complete audit of your organisation on how many meat eaters and carbon footprint, as compared to the general population? https://www.livekindly.co/greenpeace-veganism/ Are you for the planet and people or just FOR YOURSELF?
I watched the Cowspiracy documentary today, it has really impacted on us. We are now going to start becoming vegetarian or vegan. Greenpeace didn't seem very supportive in that documentary, but it's great to see they are finally changing. Keep it up and make a difference!
Not good enough Green Peace tell the truth; Massively Subsidized Meat/ Dairy Men guilty of appalling forms of animal cruelty, cover- ups, corruption, massive environmental destruction, creating devastating health effects in human beings, and, now, unleashing a new global plague ( Mad Cow/ BSE USA INFECTIOUS FATAL PRION DISEASE, called CJD, Alzheimers in Humans, CWD in Wildlife and even infects PLANTS ). A reduction not good enough a Bold Transformation to Plant Diet based on Veganic gardening and native Plants is CRUCIAL and elimination of the sources of Mad Cow/ BSE contagion is mandatory ( all manures, fertilizers, sewage sludges and anything continuing animals parts is BIO-HAZARDOUS ), see Gary Chandler, Mad Cow Disease Symptom of Bigger Problems;
Glad to see so many of you are excited about taking on industrial meat and dairy! Make sure to keep up with the campaign — and learn more about the intersections with climate, health, forests, water, animal welfare, and human rights — here >> http://lessismore.greenpeace.org/ -Ryan @Greenepace
i agree on so many ways, this needs to get better and i hope i will be able to help
It's about time... Still I expect you guys to do more efforts towards the most efficient change towards better living on the planet - going vegan!
Absolutely. A 50% reduction is exactly that... half hearted. Meat and dairy are unnecessary in a balanced diet. Vegan is the answer.
Late on this topic Greenpeace but a most welcome statement, seeing as the size of emissions is so great this should have been an issue from the start.
this needs to get into mainstream news, and regularly so if it is to have on influence on the general population ... get them onside - and the reduction in meat will closely follow, regardless of governments assistance or not. promote the healthier option, and the consequences for not changing, our childrens childrens future is at stake! and their health.
Really pleased to see us addressing the food issue. Power and transport are both showing signs of change but unless we tackle food we cannot hope to solve climate change.
This is truth. Needs to be done.