Influence of popular diets on climate studies

By Alimat Aliyeva

A Tulane University study compared the carbon footprint of six popular diets as part of a comprehensive assessment of the food system's impact on the climate.

This study, led by Professor Diego Rose, focused on both the environmental impact and the nutritional quality of diets. It found that food production, especially beef, accounts for about a third of greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the research results, a vegan diet has the least environmental impact, generating only 0.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per 1,000 calories consumed. In contrast, the keto diet, with the highest carbon footprint, produces about 3 kilograms of carbon dioxide for the same number of calories. The paleo diet followed closely behind the keto diet, showing both a high carbon footprint and low nutritional quality. Studies revealed that vegetarian and pescatarian diets have the least environmental impact after veganism. Diets combining both meat and plant foods showed average results.

An interesting finding was that if at least one-third of the population switched to a vegetarian diet, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an amount equivalent to 340 million kilometers per day. On the other hand, meat-restricted diets, such as the Mediterranean vegetable diet or DASH, both reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide higher nutritional quality.

The authors of the study noted that it is possible to improve both health and carbon dioxide emissions without completely giving up meat. Professor Rose said: "Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and people are increasingly interested in switching to a plant-based diet. Research can provide insight into how policy measures can affect these transitions. The results of this study provide valuable information that can influence both individual dietary choices and national climate policy."