If you're a vegan for environmental reasons, then this blog post is for you. Reducing the impact of your diet isn't just about cutting out meat and dairy, but most importantly - being aware of where and how your food is sourced.
With it being January, the Veganuary movement is in full swing. There's content everywhere about the positive benefits of switching to a vegan diet. And don't get me wrong, eating plant based is generally better for the environment (see this post), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still consider where your food comes from.
Let's start with the positives...
Eating plant based does have good points. For instance, you're using less water and producing less greenhouse gases associated with modern farming - like methane. In fact, eating one less serving of beef each week is the equivalent to driving 348 miles in a car. Similarly, one quarter pounder burger uses 10 bathtubs of water to be produced! There's no denying that meat production requires a lot of resources and impacts the planet negatively.
However...
Eating a solely plant based diet will not solve the issues of our Western food system. If you're relying on fruits and vegetables which are grown (largely) unsustainably in foreign countries then you're still contributing to the issues of our food system. When you consider the air miles associated with many of our favourite plant-based staples, or the plastic packaging used to protect our favourite processes vegan meat substitutes, then we're still part of the problem.
So, what's the alternative?
A place-based diet is the next step in reducing the impact of your eating habits on the planet. It's when you take into consideration where your food has come from and how it was made.
For example, why not try supporting your local farmers? By shopping locally you can invest in your local economy but also be more aware of how your food was produced. Was it kind to the land and the people that farm it? Was it organically farmed or did they use harmful pesticides? These are not questions that can be answered when picking up fruit and veg in our local supermarket - you can never be truly sure.
People who follow a place-based diet also favour organically grown as this farming method is much better for the planet. Find out more about it here.
This Veganuary consider combining a plant-based diet with a place-based mentality. Support your local greengrocer, investing in your local economy and the future of the planet whilst you do so 💚
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