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One thing is certain: our food choices leave a mark on the planet. In this article, let’s explore the nuances of different diets, their environmental impact, and how we at Nossa balance our passion for good food with our commitment to preserving our planet.
Eating Habits vs. the Planet: An Analysis
The Impact of What We Eat
One day, we’re told about the wonders of seed-based diets, and the next, we’re told that, actually… Meh. We feel so bombarded with information about the consequences of what we eat that the sight of a plate of food gives us anxiety attacks!
Are we exaggerating? Sure, but one thing is certain: no matter what our eating habits are, they have an impact on the environment!
Rise in plant-based diets
The rise in plant-based diets in France shows that a growing number of French people are concerned 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 to become vegan in support of animal welfare.For most people, it is primarily the environment that motivates this choice.
So, here at Nossa, we asked ourselves—somewhat provocatively—whether our love of ribeye steak was a concern for the planet.
Rethinking Our Diet for the Planet
The real problem stems from intensive agriculture. For example, factory farming contributes significantly to the infamous greenhouse effect; it accounts for:- 53% of nitrous oxide emissions,
- 44% of global methane emissions.
- It also accounts for 83% of agricultural land, much of which has been cleared through deforestation. Not great for the carbon footprint.
- It is also one of the most water-intensive industrial sectors. To give you an idea: it takes 15,000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef.
- Not to mention livestock feed, which often comes from soybeans grown on deforested land in the Amazon—the home of... açaí, of course.
This quote comes from our esteemed Dr. Joseph Poore of the University of Oxford. He led the largest study to date assessing the environmental impact of farmland. Let us reassure you right away: you don’t have to go fully vegan to make a difference. Simply replacing certain animal products with substitutes would be enough. For example, instead of drinking cow’s milk, you can choose to drink oat milk.
To put things into perspective, we all know that eating French meat from animals that graze on pasture in the summer and eat hay in the winter is, of course, not the same as eating New Zealand lamb or battery-farmed chicken fed on soybeans... from the Amazon. So, meat, yes, but in moderation, okay!
Committed to the Planet: Nossa and the Preservation of the Amazon
At Nossa, our commitment to the planet—and to the Amazon in particular—is at the heart of our mission. We are aware of the environmental challenges posed by certain agricultural practices, notably intensive livestock farming and deforestation for the cultivation of soybeans used in 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 efforts to protect the planet, check out Nossa’s commitments.
For further reading:
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