1. Reducing the environmental impact of dietary choice: perspectives from a behavioural and social change approach.
- Author
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Joyce A, Dixon S, Comfort J, and Hallett J
- Subjects
- Choice Behavior, Climate Change, Female, Food Supply, Health Status, Humans, Male, Nutrition Policy, Plants, Edible, Social Change, Diet adverse effects, Environment, Food adverse effects
- Abstract
Climate change is recognised as a significant public health issue that will impact on food security. One of the major contributors to global warming is the livestock industry, and, relative to plant-based agriculture, meat production has a much higher environmental impact in relation to freshwater use, amount of land required, and waste products generated. Promoting increased consumption of plant-based foods is a recommended strategy to reduce human impact on the environment and is also now recognised as a potential strategy to reduce the high rates of some chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Currently there is a scant evidence base for policies and programs aiming to increase consumption of plant-based diets and little research on the necessary conditions for that change to occur and the processes involved in such a change. This paper reviews some of the environmental and health consequences of current dietary practices, reviews literature on the determinants of consuming a plant-based diet, and provides recommendations for further research in this area.
- Published
- 2012
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