Science and TechClimate Change

Actions

Study: Meat, dairy, rice production contributing to climate change

Scientists say at the current rate of consumption, Earth's temperature will rise 1 degree Celsius just on food production alone.
Posted

What we eat is having a negative impact on the planet, and if we don't change, we're in trouble. That's according to a new study from climate scientists. 

Researchers took a look at our dietary habits and found three food groups — meat, dairy and rice — contribute the most to global warming.

Smoke and steam rise from a coal processing plant.

UN warns Earth 'firmly on track toward an unlivable world'

One report found efforts to cut emissions require a swift end to fossil fuels and increase in renewable energy, among other measures.

LEARN MORE

And at the current rate of consumption, climate change will rise 1 degree Celsius just on food production alone. That would push the world past the U.N.'s agreed-upon temperature target.

Scientists say the key to avoiding this scenario is to cut down on meat consumption. Methane from farm animals is a major driver for climate change.