Plant-based diet for the Earth’s sake

(From left) Councillor Tan Soo Siang, Lim, Phee and Josephine showing off wholesome and tasty meatless dishes.

CHOOSING a low-carbon or vegan diet can be an effective way for individuals to do their bit to tackle global climate change.

Even if it is just for one day each week, going meatless can be good for the planet, according to Penang environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

Though both the low-carbon and vegan diets eschew meat, the low- carbon diet is more about making lifestyle choices related to food consumption to reduce resulting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

Its main tenet is eating less industrial meat and dairy in favour of more plant-based foods.

It also advocates avoiding processed and packaged food, and choosing food grown locally and seasonally instead.

Experts say such choices lower each person’s carbon footprint and when done collectively, can help slow down climate change.

“I encourage everyone to make a pledge to try this at least once a week. It can be on any day you like. All you need is self-discipline.

“Not everybody can turn vegan overnight so this approach is a good first step,” Phee urged after having a meatless lunch at a restaurant in George Town.

He was joined by Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and several local councillors at the meal to celebrate International Meatless Day on Nov 25.

According to Our World in Data, food production is responsible for approximately 26% of the world’s GHG with livestock farming and fisheries as well as associated land use the biggest contributors.

This is because carbon is released into the atmosphere when forests which act as ‘carbon dioxide sinks’, are cleared for farmland.

Cattle and sheep also produce methane as part of their digestive processes while fossil fuels are widely used for machinery.

Phee pondered on the problem caused by livestock farming.

“All livestock need feedstock such as maize or soya meal which requires large quantities of fertiliser and water to grow.

“Hogs are raised for about four months while cattle takes upwards of 24 months. Imagine how much feed they’ll need in that period.

“So rather than grow maize or soya meal to feed a hog or cow, why don’t we just eat the maize instead?”

Penang Green Council (PGC) general manager Josephine Tan said a person could potentially save thousands of litres of water per day just by reducing or removing meat from their diet.

According to a 2013 report by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers titled ‘Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not’, producing 1kg of beef requires 15,415 litres of water and 1kg of chicken 4,325 litres.

In contrast, producing 1kg of rice requires 2,497 litres, 1kg of bread 1,607 litres, 1kg of potatoes 287 litres and 1kg of cabbage only 237 litres.

Another study published in ‘New Scientist’ magazine also claims that a person can reduce the amount of GHG by up to 60% just by eating plant-based food.

Tan said climate change was a threat as it affected food security. The recent floods in Cameron Highlands, which resulted in prices of vegetables going up by as much as 100%, was a case in point.

“This is why we’re also encouraging people to try urban farming and plant their own food.

“Some vegetables are easy to grow and provide nutrition.

“We’ve been working with local NGOs to distribute seeds,” she said, adding that was just one of the PGC’s many green initiatives.