Can Soybeans Be A Solution To Climate Change?
Low-meat diets represent a sustainable approach to nutrition. However, plant proteins might also be bad for the environment if unregulated.
You might have heard hundreds, maybe thousands of times of the bad impact of meat production and consumption on the environment and its contribution to climate change. However, even though you are adopting a low-meat, vegetarian, or even vegan diet, you should be aware of the fact that proteins from plants can also have an impact on the planet.
Why is meat production unsustainable?
It is a matter of fact, we need to reduce meat consumption and production. According to the most recent statistics from the FAO, in 2019 the global production of meat reached the impressive amount of 336,639,411 tonnes. At these rates, production is unsustainable. As a matter of fact, livestock is an avid consumer of energy and resources, and generates important negative externalities on the environment, affecting air, water, soil, and biodiversity.
“Livestock is domesticated terrestrial animals that are raised to provide a diverse array of goods and services such as traction, meat, milk, eggs, hides, fibres and feathers.” [FAO]
The Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model by the FAO estimated that greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by livestock supply chains hovers around 8.1 gigatonnes CO2e, of that 5.0 CO2e are derived from cattle only (carbon dioxide equivalent, CO2e, is a single measure to assess the global warming potential of different polluting GHGs).
Also, meat production is the single most relevant emitter of methane (CH4). This gas is produced during the digestion process and the decomposition of organic material — yes, it is, farting and poo. CH4 is particularly impactful on climate change, due to its high warming potential. While its permanence in the atmosphere is shorter than other GHGs like carbon dioxide, in the short term its heating effect on the global temperature is much stronger. An aspect not to be underestimated considering the positive trend in meat consumption.
Other than GHGs, due to nitrogen and phosphorus dispersion from animal manure, raising meat also affects groundwaters and soil. As a result, aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity and human health are put at great risk.
It comes clear, operating within the planetary boundaries is a challenge we cannot afford to lose if we want to preserve our planet and its species — including our own kind. Maybe plants are the key.
What about soybeans?
Soybeans and meat are intrinsically connected. Most of the soybean production is still fed to livestock, being an important source of proteins for beef and chicken, and only a small percentage is for direct human consumption.
However, at the same time soy is a basic food for the animals of the meat industry, it also provides people a healthier substitute for animal proteins. In fact, the consumption of soy derivates, such as tofu, tempeh, or mere soybeans, have been associated with a lower incidence of heart diseases and lower risks for some hormonally-related cancers.
As for socio-environmental sustainability, however, the impacts on the planet and society of soy production are still relevant. Soy production has been associated with high levels of direct or indirect deforestation and soil degradation. Moreover, violence, injustices, and illegal working conditions are still common in the soy realm.
In addition, we do have to remember that agriculture is the world’s largest water-consuming activity, and soy is not free from this. In fact, other than requiring important quantities of water for growing, soy derivates might have astonishing water footprints. Some studies have estimated that in order to provide 1 litre of soy milk to the consumer, almost 300 litres of water are required along the supply chain.
In the end, both meat and soy production present several shortcomings when it comes to sustainability. Livestock is responsible for huge amounts of GHG — especially methane. Soybeans are associated with high rates of deforestation, water usage, and soil depletion. Both, if unregulated, will make it harder to get in line with the most recent commitments for a sustainable future, safe from climate changes.
Undoubtedly, meat production and consumption must be reduced to prevent health issues and natural degradation. If untied from the meat industry, the soy industry might be renewed to feed people instead of animals, focusing on a sustainable approach to production which cares for the environment and the wellbeing of people.
In brief, soybean may not save us from climate change, but greater recognition of it as a valid alternative to meat, and greater attention to its production and processing, could provide a step towards a healthier food system with less impact on the planet and society.
So, what can you do to release the pressures of the present food system on our planet? How can you reduce your footprint and be part of a sustainable change?
Everything is a matter of choice. When it comes to food, you have a wide spectrum of possibilities to behave in support of the environment. Here are a few:
- Reduce your meat consumption, favouring vegetables and fruit. Soybean and other legumes are some valid alternatives to meat, and can give you the number of proteins you need;
- Buy local when you can. Whether it is meat or legumes, you will save CO2 emissions, as well as supporting the work of small and medium enterprises;
- Prefer quality over quantity. This will also save you from wasting food and money;
- Eat seasonally. Importing, or producing food that is out of season requires much more resources other than transportation and conservation;
And you? What do you think about meat consumption? Do you know any solution for people, companies, or policymakers to reduce their anthropogenic impacts? How do you reduce your footprint on the planet?
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