Eat less meat, save the planet.

Reducing meat in the daily diet is not only beneficial for health, but also contributes to limiting greenhouse gas emissions - the cause of the Earth's climate getting warmer.

According to research by British and Australian scientists, eating less meat will help limit the number of animals that need to be raised, thereby reducing the amount of methane, nitrous oxide, CO ₂ . emitted from livestock, contributing to slowing down. the process of climate change on the planet.

Should be limited to 90 grams of meat / person / day

In a series of health and energy articles published in the medical journal Lancet, the team said that animal emissions from human consumption accounted for nearly a quarter of global emissions. gender.

Experts are concerned that increasing the herd of cattle to serve human needs will lead to an increase in emissions that heat up the atmosphere. Currently in China, meat consumption has doubled compared to 10 years ago.

According to the team, it is necessary to cut 10% of global meat demand to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cows, goats and sheep . Currently, the global average consumption of meat is 100 grams / people / day, but the level of meat consumption varies widely by region. In developed countries, consumption is up to 224 grams / person / day, but in Africa, most people eat only 31 grams / day only.

Should be limited to 90 grams of meat / person / day (Photo: Reuters)

Co-author of this study, Dr. John Powles, a public health expert at Cambridge University, stressed that in order to improve the temperature of the Earth, increasing consumption of meat troops should be reduced to 90 grams / person / day. According to Mr. Powles, 'reducing the need to eat meat is a really necessary solution to limit climate change'.

Although not involved in this study, Geri Brewster, a nutritionist at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, said: 'If people are aware that eating a lot of meat is not beneficial. For the environment, they will have to think carefully before ordering meat at restaurants'.

Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and Environment of the World Health Organization, emphasized: 'Eating less meat is clearly one of the measures to reduce emissions and prevent climate change. Global'.

Eat less meat for health

According to experts, eating less meat, including red meat, not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also contributes to improving human health, in particular reducing the number of people suffering from heart disease. and cancer.

Another study found that for every 100 grams of red meat cut in the daily diet, the risk of colon cancer would be reduced by one third.

In this regard, Dr. Maria said: 'We need to better understand the ingredients in the food that we eat every day'. Dietster Brewster said: 'In general, we have put too much protein into our bodies. If people eat less red meat, the risk of obesity will decrease. '

However, the team thinks it may take decades to repel the current trend of eating meat.

Quang Thinh