We’ve known about this for over a century, but there’s still no change to how we tackle climate change.

Ten years ago, I came across a statement from a study by the European Commission in 2012. Short, simple and to the point:

“adopting a “meatless Monday” could have a greater impact on the environment than working from home and avoiding the commute for a week.”

Of course, this small dietary change isn’t sufficient. There has to be a significant reduction in meat and dairy before we’ll see any real effect on climate change.

If only that would happen! Unfortunately, I can’t see it happening any time soon because the human brain is wired to believe that we must eat meat to survive. 

Over the past few years, I noticed that the old argument of ‘meat provides us with protein’, and ‘dairy gives us calcium’ isn’t standing up as gospel anymore. People are becoming more educated and understand that those arguments are a pure fallacy.

Now it’s more “, but I like meat”, “it’s my choice”, and “I couldn’t give up cheese”, all of which are perhaps a little more honest. And, although plant foods are continuing to grow, sadly, so is the consumption of dairy and meat. The fact that ‘Hog Hotel’, a 13-storied building housing 10,000 pigs, was opened last year in China (and more are being built) is testament enough to the demand for pork. Aotearoa NZ is currently deciding whether to grant permission to build barns for factory-farming beef animals. This decision has, thankfully, sparked a lot of controversy and debate.

As for the dairy industry, it’s an absolute sacrilege to oppose dairy. This country is the world’s largest exporter of dairy products, with its primary export being milk powder. The dairy industry contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for almost 20% of the total export revenue. However, in recent years, the environmental impact of dairy farming has finally come under scrutiny, and some have started to question the industry’s sustainability.

As a result, there has been a push for more sustainable farming practices and a move towards plant-based alternatives. However, despite these efforts, the government still shies away from putting the spotlight on dairy.

Instead, the focus (which is worldwide) is on fossil fuels and renewable energy.

Those of us ‘in the know’ are fully aware that the West’s high meat and dairy consumption is fuelling global warming. Study after study shows the huge benefit phasing out animal agriculture would have on the planet.

So what should we do? We should keep educating the masses. Much as I’d like to think that animal welfare is what will sway people, my opinion is we need to harp on the point that animal agriculture is incredibly destructive to our planet. Things have to change if we are going to have any chance at all in surviving as a species.

Until next time…