Saturday, Sept 14

Recent analysis reveals that fresh fruit and vegetable prices haven’t risen nearly as high as other grocery prices, making plant-based eating (almost) inflation-proof. And it’s better for the planet. How much better? Read on. 

Dear Dot,

How much does being a vegan or vegetarian help the environment? 

–Jessica

Dear Jessica,

What we eat is baked into our respective cultures. So it’s smart to recognize that shifting people away from animal foods that are part of celebrations, religious practices, and the “feasting” that accompanies significant events requires sensitivity.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that our global (and growing!) appetite for meat is devouring large swaths of fertile land and valuable forests. The loss of those forests means more carbon in our atmosphere. More animals for meat means an increase of, let’s call them, gaseous bovines, which means more methane in our atmosphere — a daily release per animal on par with the amount of pollution released by a car in the same period of time. Estimates for the amount of greenhouse gas reduction if we cut meat from our diets range from 3 percent to 30 percent. 

And there’s more. Read on to learn how vegan/vegetarianism is better (and more affordable) for all of us, even if we’re part-timers.