Eating vegetables to fight global warming can eating vegetables really alleviate global warming?
4hw.com.cn: climate warming has almost become an old topic. Many people are very concerned about the living environment and future of the earth and future generations, but they don't know what they can do as individuals. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), at present, the suggestions put forward by United Nations experts are that in order to delay global warming, it is best to change eating habits and eat a plant-based diet. In other words, it calls on everyone to eat more vegetables and less meat if they want to protect the environment.
It is reported that the United Nations has issued a major report on climate change. The report said that the meat based diet in the west is accelerating global warming. The report was written by 107 scientists of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC). The report points out that if land can be used more effectively and reasonably, it can better absorb the carbon dioxide produced by mankind.
With global warming, 2019 has become one of the hottest three years in human history. Experts in the United Nations climate change report say they are not telling people to stop eating meat, but to eat less or consider changing their eating habits from meat to vegetarianism. The report also called for stopping the destruction of land and desertification.
The link between climate change and food
First, climate change poses a threat to human food supply. The increase in temperature, rain and extreme weather have affected cultivated land, crops and livestock.
The food production process itself can also lead to global warming. Among them, agriculture and animal husbandry account for a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, raising cattle, sheep and other livestock will consume more land and resources.
In addition, methane gas emitted by animals will also exacerbate climate warming. Animal products account for 58% of the total carbon dioxide emissions from food production. At the same time, in order to raise livestock, forests have to be cut down to expand pastures, which further leads to climate change.
Agricultural expert Stevenson said that if we want to achieve the goal of controlling climate change, it is necessary and necessary to reduce meat food consumption.
Reduce food waste and plant more trees
In addition to reducing meat consumption, experts also encourage people to waste as little food as possible. A public welfare organization in Switzerland gives some local families and charitable organizations food that is not sold in supermarkets to reduce food waste. At the same time, they made some expired bread into biscuits. All these help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the production of food.
In addition, trees and forests can absorb carbon dioxide from human activities, especially in the northern hemisphere. It can help mitigate climate change. However, it is alarming that if the earth warms up further, it will also affect the growth of vegetation and forests.
The United Nations report also said that some areas near the earth's equator have been unable to grow vegetation due to overheating. Dr. Fleischer of Munich University of technology in Germany warned that phosphorus deficiency in soil has occurred in some areas. Less phosphorus in the soil will lead to slow growth of trees.
She said that this means that the tropical rain forest has reached its limit and will no longer be able to absorb any excess carbon dioxide. If so, the earth's overheating will accelerate significantly.
Soil and climate change
Soil is a key factor in climate change. In terms of absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, soil is second only to the ocean.
Plants in the soil absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. However, deforestation and poor farming practices can undermine the ability of soil to absorb carbon dioxide. When the soil deteriorates, it releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. At the same time, plant growth will also be affected, resulting in a vicious circle.
Climate change is expected to accelerate this process. High temperature will intensify the decomposition of organic matter in soil and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
The report says reducing and reversing soil damage can bring immediate benefits to local communities. At the same time, better land management, including controlled grazing and tree planting, can make the soil more fertile. This will help reduce poverty and promote food security, forming a virtuous circle.
What are the solutions?
Since land plays such an important role in climate change, how can we reverse the trend of further destruction of land and make it part of the solution?
Experts say humans must change the way they use land. Of course, this will be an arduous challenge, especially involving major changes in farming methods.
Scientists say that in addition, human beings can also take the following measures: protect the natural tropical rain forest resources; Eat less red meat and more vegetables; Protection and restoration of peatlands; Encourage 'agriculture and forestry', that is, the combination of food crops and trees; Improve crop varieties, etc.