As May comes to an end, we round up the month and look at why it’s important we reduce meat consumption in our diet, and what we may eat in the future.
What is No Meat May?
No Meat May is a campaign which started in 2013. Year on year, the campaign has grown, partly due to the improvements in plant-based options market, but also as more people become aware of the impacts that animal products can have on the environment. The organisers of the campaign state: “We are determined to inspire more people like you to change the world by shifting to more plant-rich eating. And we are committed to ensure everyone has a good time & does it well”.
The No Meat Campaign has 4 benefits, the organisers claim, which are as follows:
- Health – You don’t need to be Dr Tim Spector to work out that current food habits are unsustainable, and we are heading towards a crisis.
- Environment – reducing emissions, deforestation, overfishing, river pollution.
- Animals – Mass production of food aka factory farming prioritises on output, and not animal welfare.
- Food Security – how can we solve world hunger when the western diet is causing destruction of farmland.
What Exactly are the Environmental Problems with Meat?
The UN have stated that “plant-based diets can help fight against climate change” and additionally not calling on everyone to turn vegan. However, around 26% of global emissions come from food, with nearly 60% coming from animal emissions (Poore and Nemecek) so this is an area that globally we need to address, especially in the west.
Looking to the Future: Will We Have to Eat Crickets?
While insects are enjoyed by many countries around the world already, the simple answer is no. But it isn’t straightforward. Insects are indeed highly nutritious, and also far more environmentally friendly to raise than average livestock. In fact, the FAO report that insects are 12 times more efficient, at least four times more efficient than pigs, and twice as efficient as chickens. Plus insects require no antibiotics, thus cheaper to raise and have better long-term societal health implications. Until insects are presented in a form that is more accepted than current favourites, western tastes won’t budge. Nonetheless, biologist and author of “Cicada-Licious: Cooking and Enjoying Periodical Cicadas” Jenna Jadin believes “It’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s never going to 100% replace meat, but those of us who are health conscious and environmentally aware have already started making that transition”.
Competitors in the meatless market such as beyond burger, and UK brands such as Quorn, Linda McCartney, Vegetarian Butcher and Meatless Farm (to name but a growing few) will welcome any further shift away from meat – simply as they offer a product that resembles meat without a “yuck” factor of an insect. Which even if the technology evolves to make taste meat-like, will never be able to shake that tag off.
What can you do?
We recommend starting off small and implementing different lifestyle changes that work for you. Here’s some quick and easy tips, and with food waste applies to everything.
- Have a vegan/ vegetarian only day, depending on where you are on your journey.
- Try plant milks in your hot drinks.
- Make a swap – swap a meat product for a plant one such as beans, lentils or meat replacement. You’ll reduce carbon and get more fibre in your diet.
- Make small food waste changes – It’s not just what you eat, it’s reducing about waste as well. Freeze leftovers, check fridges are cold enough and plan your meals ahead.