Swiss Government Promotes Reducing Meat Consumption in Climate Strategy, Plant Based News, September 14, 2023
The Swiss government has launched a new Agricultural and Food Climate Strategy outlining the benefits of reducing meat consumption in the country. The strategy states that greenhouse gas emissions from food production need to be reduced by two-thirds per capita by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. Emissions from domestic agricultural production must be cut by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels. The strategy highlights that a diet rich in plant-based foods and lower in meat offers "benefits for both health and the environment." The report also notes that meat consumption in Switzerland is far too high compared to official dietary guidelines, while the consumption of dairy products, legumes, fruits, and vegetables is far too low.
Global Developments
How Less Meat and More Plants Can Solve Food Insecurity, VegNews, September 15, 2023
The world is facing a food crisis. According to a recent United Nations (UN) report, more than 250 million people in 58 countries experienced acute food insecurity in 2022. This marked a significant increase from 2021, when 193 million people in 53 countries were affected. “Some are on the brink of starvation. This is an outrage,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for “fundamental, systemic change.” The recently released Global Report on Food Crises highlights several key factors contributing to the situation. One of these is the lingering effects of the pandemic and Russia's
invasion of Ukraine, alongside economic shocks and conflicts in countries like Afghanistan and Yemen. However, extreme weather events driven by the climate crisis are also having a significant impact. The UN reports that in 12 countries, "climate extremes" were the primary cause of acute food insecurity for over 56 million people.
COP28 to Be the First UN Climate Summit Focused on Food with Alternative Proteins, Green Queen, September 13, 2023
COP28 made headlines last month by announcing a focus largely on plant-based foods, signaling a greater emphasis on food systems at this year’s UN Climate Summit (November 30 - December 12), compared to previous years. In addition to mostly vegan catering, the conference will feature announcements on food policies.
From Meat to Plants: A Global Dietary Shift Could Reduce Emissions by One-Third and Halt Deforestation, Green Queen, September 13, 2023
According to a new peer-reviewed study, replacing 50% of meat and dairy consumption with plant-based alternatives by 2050 could provide significant climate benefits, reducing agricultural and land-use emissions by 31% and halting the destruction of forests and natural habitats.
Switching to vegan meat and dairy products, combined with reforesting land previously used for livestock, could double the climate benefits, halve future ecosystem degradation, and significantly reduce food system emissions by 2050. If half of animal products are substituted, land used for livestock would decrease by 12%, and water usage would drop by 10% compared to the 2020 baseline.
Can a Plant-Based Diet Help with Allergies? New Study Says Yes, VegNews, September 13, 2023
Over the past few decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, has increased significantly worldwide. A new study published in the journal Nutrients by Zhang Ping, a researcher from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, sheds new light on the complex relationship between allergic diseases and diet. The findings suggest that a plant-based diet could hold the key to managing severe allergic diseases, particularly those associated with obesity.
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