A vegan diet can save the planet

Going vegan can cut your environmental impact by almost half.

Researchers at the University of Granada in Spain found that switching from a typical Mediterranean diet to an entirely plant-based diet reduces carbon emissions by 46 percent, uses 33 percent less land and requires 7 percent less water.

The results also showed reductions in several other pollutants linked to global warming.

To compare the two ways of eating, the team designed weekly meal plans based on the healthy, omnivorous Mediterranean diet or an entirely plant-based version consisting of tofu, tempeh, legumes, soy yogurt and seeds, each totaling 2,000 calories per day.

Dr. who directed the research. Noelia Rodriguez-Martin said: “Switching from a Mediterranean diet to a vegan diet produced 46 percent less CO2.

“It also used significantly fewer natural resources and reduced other pollutants associated with climate change.”

Animal-based foods have a much higher carbon footprint because livestock produce methane during digestion, while manure and manure release nitrous oxide (two powerful greenhouse gases).

But researchers say you don’t need to go completely vegan to have an effect.

Dr. “You don’t have to go completely vegan to make a difference. Even small steps towards a more plant-based diet reduce emissions and save resources. Every meal with more plants helps move us towards healthier people and a healthier planet,” added Rodriguez-Martin.