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Eat More Veggies, Reduce Global Warming [1]

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Date: 2022-10-01

Farm stand vegetables, h/t: foresterbob

In the past my Climate Brief diaries have focused on reducing fossil fuel use, but this month, I would like to report on how vegetarianism can help reduce global warming. I have been eating a vegetarian diet since the beginning of the year and found the transition fairly easy as I had already eliminated beef, pork and chicken from my diet. So all I had to do was stop eating turkey and fish. I found that eating vegetarian has helped reduce my digestion issues.

Although I realize that dairy also contributes to global warming, I have yet to make the transition to vegan. Maybe next year.

This article from Greenpeace reports 7 Reasons why meat is bad for the environment.

From climate change to forest fires to human rights abuses, the global industrial meat industry leaves a trail of destruction all over the world. Millions of people's lives depend on a dramatic reduction in the consumption of meat and dairy. And it’s not just red meat that’s the problem.

The seven reasons why eating meat is bad for the environment include contributing to deforestation, increasing the risk of future pandemics, contributing to global warming and meat being an inefficient way to eat.

If everyone ate a plant-based diet, we’d need 75% less farmland than we use today. That’s an area equivalent to the US, China, Europe and Australia combined. That’s because it takes less land to grow food directly for humans, than to feed animals, which humans then eat.

By freeing up farmland, there would be more space for migrants relocating to the more northern and southern latitudes as explained in my previous climate brief.

A vegetarian diet uses plant proteins such as nuts, seeds, grains and beans combined with other vegetables and fruits to complete a balanced diet. We often equate some of these foods with gassiness, which is true.

Websites offer solutions to reduce the gas, such as over-the-counter remedies to reduce bloating, start by eating smaller amounts of gas-producing foods to give your body time to adjust to the fiber and gas-producing substances, eating foods that cause less gas, chew slowly, rinse canned beans, etc. but I could not find a definitive way that has been proven to work for everyone.

Starting with less gassy foods might be a good place to start. Planning a week ahead helps reduce the frequency of serving gassy foods, pair meal prep with evening activities and introduce an organized way to get started on a vegetarian diet. Here are some suggestions to start or continue a vegetarian lifestyle.

Breakfast:

eggs

toast

cheese

oatmeal with pecans and dates

other cooked cereals with sunflower seeds and raisins (I like to add a spoonful of molasses for more flavor)

Spanish omelet (potatoes, onion and eggs)

Lunch:

fresh veggies/crudities (!!)

cheese slices

hard boiled eggs

salad with feta cheese & tortilla chips

tomato soup topped with grated parmesan cheese

other vegetable soups

grilled cheese sandwich

Supper:

Black bean tacos

Vegetarian chili

Lentil burgers or tacos

Roasted tomato soup

Split pea soup

Spaghetti squash sliders

Homemade mac ‘n cheese

Pizza

Making the transition to vegetarian is possible, and even though some ingredients are pricey, by not eating meat I’m saving money, staying healthier and doing my part to save the planet.

Here’s your October Climate Calendar

Share your favorite vegetarian foods and gassy solutions in the comments.

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