One certainty remains: our food choices leave a footprint on the planet. In this article, let’s explore the nuances between diets, their environmental impact, and how at Nossa, we reconcile our passion for good food with our commitment to preserving our planet.
Eating Habits vs. the Planet: An In-Depth Look
The Impact of Our Plates
One day, we’re sold on the merits of seed-based diets, and the next, we’re told that actually... Whatever. We feel so bombarded with information about the consequences of what we eat that the sight of a plate triggers anxiety attacks!
Are we exaggerating? Certainly, but one thing is sure: whatever our eating habits, they have an impact on the environment!
The Rise of Plant-Based Eating
The rise of plant-based eating in France shows that a growing number of French people care about their eating habits. When it comes to health, we know that eating less meat and more plant-based foods is better for our bodies. Some people also choose veganism in support of animal welfare.For most people, it is above all the environment that motivates this choice.
So, at Nossa, we wondered, not without provocation, whether a passion for rib steak was a problem for the planet.
Rethinking Our Diet for the Planet
The real problem comes from intensive farming. For example, industrial livestock farming contributes significantly to the infamous greenhouse effect; it accounts for:- 53% of nitrous oxide emissions,
- 44% of methane emissions worldwide.
- It also uses 83% of agricultural land, a large portion of which comes from deforestation. Not great for our carbon footprint.
- It is also one of the most water-intensive industrial sectors. To give you an idea: it takes 15000L of water to produce 1kg of beef.
- Not to mention livestock feed, often made from soy grown on deforested land in the Amazon, home to... açai, of course.
This quote comes from our dear Dr Joseph Poore of the University of Oxford. He conducted the largest study to date assessing the environmental impact of agricultural land. Rest assured, you do not have to become completely vegan to make a difference. You could simply replace certain animal products with substitutes. For example, instead of consuming cow’s milk, you can choose oat milk.
To put things into perspective, we know that eating French beef that grazes in pastures during the summer and eats hay in winter is of course not the same as eating New Zealand lamb or battery-farmed chicken fed on... Amazonian soy. So yes, eat meat, but in moderation, okay!
Committed to the Planet: Nossa and the Preservation of the Amazon
At Nossa, our commitment to the planet, particularly the Amazon, is at the heart of our mission. We are aware of the environmental challenges posed by certain agricultural practices, particularly intensive livestock farming and deforestation for growing soy intended for animal feed. These activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, the destruction of biodiversity, and the degradation of the Amazonian ecosystem.
To learn more about our actions in support of the planet, discover Nossa’s commitments.
Going Further:
Do you know your annual carbon footprint?
To answer this question, Ademe provides you with “Our Climate Actions.”