For decades climate scientists have been warning the public that climate change is occurring at a rapid new pace; its consequences lurking, and as of more recently, striking. Climate change is caused by a wide array of processes and it causes an even greater plethora of problems. One of the largest causes of our changing planet is an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, especially from the agriculture and land use field. Roughly 20% of the Earth’s greenhouse gas emissions come from processes like cutting down forests and pumping groundwater to flood fields, both for the sake of animal grazing or large scale agriculture.
The Problem
The rate in which land is being turned over for agricultural use has sky-rocketed as the world has started to eat much more meat. More land is needed not only for raising the animals themselves, but also for growing their food, such as corn and wheat. For example, an environmental scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, found that in the 1980’s the average person in China ate only 30 grams of meat a day. In comparison, in 2010, the average Chinese person ate around 150 grams a day, nearly 5 times as much as in the past! In fact, the 2021 U.N report found that livestock emissions account for almost ⅓ of global methane emissions.
Researchers reported that due to heavy meat eating, the average U.S. citizen’s diet produces more that 2000 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions a year. However, not eating meat for one day a week brings that figure down by 400 kilograms a year. A vegan diet, the ideal diet for living sustainably, cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 87% to less than 300 kilograms a year. A study done in 2022 found that if citizens of the 54 highest-income countries switched to eating plant-based, their yearly emissions would drop by more than 60% in the agricultural production industry. Sadly, although some in western society have made great leaps towards a flawless plant-based diet, many still find it highly unattainable.
The Solution?
In reality, although we must continue to push for a more vegan society, it is time to start turning towards foods that will persevere through the disruptions that global warming and climate change bring to the planet. It is an unrealistic goal to have people from all around the world eat no dairy, eggs, or meat regularly. Instead we should petition the food industry to support agriculture that will survive and thrive in our currently warming planet. To lead this revolution, there are 6 main candidates: millet, Bambara groundnuts, mussels, kelp, enset, and cassava.
To start, when compared to other grains such as rice, maize, and wheat, millet can withstand places with little water and is extremely climate resilient. Millet can be turned into a variety of products such as gluten-free flour, pasta, chips, and even beer!
Next, there are Bambara groundnuts, which are a drought-tolerant and protein packed legume that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Bambara groundnuts can be eaten whole after being roasted or boiled, but they can also make a delicious gluten-free flour or plant milk. These nuts are so special because they can be cultivated in environments with nutrient-poor soil without chemical fertilizers due to a special bacteria on the plant that can easily convert nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia. This quality would help the agriculture industry take steps away from using harmful fertilizers that often pollute local water sources and harm wildlife!
Although not vegan, mussels and other similar bivalves such as oysters, clams, and scallops could be the answer to our climate problems! These species do not need to be fertilized or watered like conventional agriculture and are super hardy and nutritious. While vegetarians and vegan alike may argue that promoting such food choices goes against traditional recommendations for eating sustainably, science would argue otherwise. Eating low food chain species such as mollusks, small fish like sardines, and insects while combined with a mostly plant-based diet has been proven to be nearly as climate friendly as full-out veganism!
Eating low in the food chain, like mussels, does not disturb ecological systems and only produces about 300 kilograms of CO2 emissions a year, which is extremely comparable to the emissions of a vegan diet.
However, if one wants to stick to a plant-based diet, kelp is the right seafood for you! Not only does it not have to be watered or fertilized like mussels, but it also helps significantly lower the acidity of its watery surroundings. Oftentimes, kelp and bivalves are grown in close proximity because the shelled creatures benefit from the less acidic water in their vicinity. Kelp lowers water acidity by taking its CO2 from the atmosphere, which makes it useful for sucking up the extra carbon dioxide in our planet. Kelp is full of numerous vitamins and antioxidants and can be made into noodles, chips, pickles, salad, and even biofuels!
Next, there is Enset which is a starchy tree from Ethiopia. The tree resembles that of a banana tree, but that isn’t where the magic stops. Enset is often called ‘ the tree against hunger’ because it can be harvested year-round, making it a beacon of hope when times are tough during droughts or crop disease. Enset can be cooked into bread or porridge, but can also be used as a material for rope, plates, and buildings.
Last but not least is Cassava, a root vegetable that claims its origins to South America. Cassava is extremely climate resilient, nutritious and sustainable. Cassava can grow in temperatures over 100℉ and is resistant to dry or salty soil. The real magic lies in its ability to utilize higher CO2 levels to increase its tolerance to stress and then produce higher yields. Cassava can be eaten whole when cooked, turned into a gluten-free flour or even made into boba!
So while we should aim for a fully plant-based diet when we can, it is also encouraging that there are so many plants and animals out there that will continue to support us as the climate changes!
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