There has recently been a very large rise in plant based food options available, however the shift away from agriculture less fast. Plant based eating is not a solution to the global climate crisis however, I think it is a very impactful change that more people should shift their diet towards. Being vegan is not an option in every part of the world however it is a relatively easy diet to follow and thrive on here in Canada.
I think that the government should an additional tax on non free range and non organic animal products and use this money to fund more subsidies that support good farming practices. The tax only needs to be small to gently push consumers towards thinking about the foods they buy and get educated on the topic. This could agricultural farmers could slowly consider switching to crops instead of animals as the demand for meat decreases. Money used from the implemented tax could even help farmers make the switch away from animals. Although consumers might not like having additional taxed, I believe it is fair to add a tax on products that are causing a greater environmental harm, similarly to how plastic bottles get taxed. Not only can this help with the fight against climate change but it could lead to healthier people due to the potential benefits of a vegan diet.
Hi Nadia,
Amazing post! I love that you touched on a very prevalent trend of "plant-based" products that can't be the sole solution that people desire. I like your idea of a potential intervention being government involvement as their changes will make it easier for those who are directly involved (ie. farmers) to implement changes that benefit the ecosystem.
Hi Nadia,
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I particularly liked how you made the comparison between tax on non-free range or non-organic food to the tax on plastic bottles. Comparing this idea to something that already exists shows that it is possible and feasible. Additional costs will always make some people unhappy, but it is important to prioritize our planet, too!
Hey Nadia, great post! One question that crossed my mind when reading this is even thought a plant based diet is a step in the right direction, how are we supposed to acquire adequate protein by still being sustainable, considering plant based protein products such as tofu are extremely harmful to our environment to make?
Taxing products that do more harm is a great idea, especially since the money can go towards funding more sustainable farming and can therefore help with climate change!
You brought up some great ideas! I also agree that while I do recognize the benefits of embracing a plant based diet, it's not an easy solution to implement at a global scale.
I agree that plant-based diets are not going to solve climate change, but it is a step in the right direction. Until the overconsumption of food, especially animal food products is stopped, the environmental damage will continue. The more we consume, the more the demand increases, and the more damage is caused to the environment.