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The consumption of meat and dairy is under scrutiny in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The report, which is approved by governments from around the world, maintains that climate change will be intensified by emissions from cattle and intensive farming practices.
Carbon sinks
It suggests that cutting meat consumption and converting farmland to forestry could help to create more carbon sinks and help to improve and regenerate soils.
Intensively produced meat and dairy consumed by the population in first world countries are targeted by the report.
It suggests that if rich consumers in these nations cut their intake then it could have a positive effect on their overall impact on climate change.
The IPCC was at pains to state that it was not dictating vegan or vegetarian diets to people.
“IPCC does not recommend people’s diets. What we’ve pointed out on the basis of the scientific evidence is that there are certain diets that have a lower carbon footprint,” co-chair of IPCC working group Jim Skea said.
Fertiliser and farming
The IPCC was keen to suggest that farmers should be brought on board to help in the fight against climate change.
“There are solutions in the hands of farmers. But there are also solutions in the hands of each of us, when we buy food, and don’t waste food,” co-chair of the IPCC Valérie Masson-Delmotte said.
The report stated that there had been a ninefold increase in the use of artificial fertiliser on land since the 1960s.
It advocated that global farm policy be swayed to support smaller scale farms over intensive agriculture.
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