Let’s talk Climate Change
Is 2019 the year of the Flexitarian diet?
According to a recent report by the journal, Nature, we have reached a global tipping point. If our methods of food production and our eating habits don’t change, we will witness dangerous climate change within 12 years, which, ultimately, worsens the risks of drought, floods and extreme heat.
What you need to know
• Deforestation to clear space for farmed livestock, combined with methane emissions from cows and fertiliser use, creates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all the world’s cars, trucks and airplanes
• Researchers have recommended a global shift towards a “flexitarian” diet in order to keep climate change under 2C
• In western countries, the recommendation is to reduce beef consumption by 90%, replacing this with five times more pulses and beans. Our consumption of pork and eggs needs to be reduced, while nuts and seeds should form a greater proportion of our diet
What is a flexitarian diet?
Prince William and Sir David Attenborough talk the Natural World
Prince William conducted a really insightful interview with Sir David Attenborough at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos (January 2019).
A standout quote for us from Sir David was:
"We have to recognise that every breath of air we take, every mouthful of food we take, comes from the natural world. And if we damage the natural world, we damage ourselves. We are one coherent ecosystem. It's not just a question of beauty, or interest, or wonder - the essential ingredient of human life is a healthy planet. We are in danger of wrecking that.”
Personal commitments
While it can seem overwhelming, we can all make some personal changes. If we all commit to bring this issue into our consciousness, perhaps we will start to see a positive shift, both in our own health, but also that of our planet.
In addition to increasing my plant-based eating and reducing my meat intake, here are some other environmental changes I have committed to:
• I always carry a reusable shopping bag
• I never buy water bottles – I head out for the day with my reusable water bottle
• I take my own reusable cup to my favourite coffee houses – it is also cheaper to buy your hot drinks this way
• Where possible, I’ll buy loose fruit and vegetables from the grocer rather than pre-packaged, plastic-wrapped items
• I question the items I buy for the home to reduce plastic consumption. For example, buying bars of soap rather than soap dispensers and loose-leaf tea rather than tea bags
What changes have you made to ease your impact on the environment? Please share your tips in the comments below, or on our social media channels - I’d love to hear from you!
