Vegans are all too familiar with the separation many meat eaters have between animal suffering and the food on their plate, but new research reveals how little understanding there is about the environmental impact of the meat and dairy industry.
New research by food waste app Too Good to Go found that more than two thirds of people surveyed (69 percent) are unaware that food contributes to climate change.
Many vegans have had their eyes opened to the impact of food on the environment due to life-changing documentaries such as Cowspiracy.
But knowledge about carbon emissions involved in the meat industry were lacking in the 2,000 people surveyed.
The shocking results come despite countless new research suggesting that a vegan diet is the best way to reduce your impact on the planet and also to improve global health.
Food waste
In addition, the research found that an even larger percentage (81 percent) did not realise a third of all food is wasted globally – having another knock-on effect on global warming.
The app estimates that around eight percent of all global emissions are due to food waste each year.
In the UK alone food waste was at around 10 million tonnes in 2015. According to environmental charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) this had a value of over £20 billion a year, and would be associated with more than 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Forgetful
The survey found that more than half (51 percent) blamed food waste on forgetting what food they have at home, or not having time to check what they have in the fridge before shopping.
Research in 2013 found that the average UK family threw away 24 meals a month, while in the US 40% of all food is estimated to be wasted.
But there is hope, as with greater knowledge comes improved habits. The survey found that 80 percent of participants said they would try to reduce their food waste after finding out the impact it has on climate change.
This month has also seen 1.5 million students boycott school in protest about climate change.
Hayley Conick, UK managing director of Too Good to Go, said: “It’s tremendous to see young people across the world uniting to create urgency around climate change but we need to translate that passion into action in our own homes.”
What do you think about this research? Tell us in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Gordon Ramsay Ditches Vegan Hate and Backs Flora’s Plant-Based Butter in New ‘Skip the Cow’ Campaign
- Totally Vegan Buzz Team
- 28th January 2025
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, once infamous for his digs at vegans, has taken a sharp turn in the kitchen. Ramsay has teamed up with Flora, the famous UK-based spread brand, as its global ambassador, marking a bold new chapter in Flora’s “Skip the Cow” campaign. Flora, established in 1964, has long been a household name …
The Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Places in Latin America
- Totally Vegan Buzz Team
- 27th January 2025
Latin America is experiencing an extraordinary rise in plant-based dining options. A new study, spearheaded by Veganuary in partnership with the food discovery platform HappyCow, reveals that Latin America now boasts over 10,000 vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants—an impressive 21.6% jump compared to last year. Brazil takes the crown as the number one country, with …
Continue reading “The Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Places in Latin America”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. [wpViralQuiz id=27203]
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. [wpViralQuiz id=33494]
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. [wpViralQuiz id=31281] Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God