In 2024, the world experienced its hottest year on record. For the first time, the global average temperature reached 1.6°C above preindustrial levels, surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold needed to curb accelerating climate change. The impacts of climate change are now evident across every continent.
Animal agriculture and food systems are responsible for up to one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions to date. However, most climate change strategies overlook the critical role these systems play in mitigation efforts. In the article “Solving Climate Change Requires Changing Our Food Systems,” published in the prestigious journal Oxford Open Climate Change, leading scientists argue that the urgent and irreversible nature of climate change demands a fundamental reevaluation of how we produce and consume food.
Dr. Feigin, the study’s lead researcher, and her co-authors emphasize the need for “a global transition to a predominantly plant-based diet and a gradual global reduction, ultimately leading to the phaseout of intensive factory farming—the most destructive form of agriculture.”
Our rising demand for meat and animal products is unsustainable. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that by 2050, meat demand will double, necessitating the conversion of nearly 80% of existing forests and shrubland into land for animal farming. This trajectory would have catastrophic consequences for both humanity and the planet.
“As the global population grows, food insecurity and starvation will worsen if we continue relying on an inefficient and resource-intensive food production model like factory farming,” the study authors warn. They propose strategies for overhauling current food systems, including eliminating government subsidies for animal agriculture and imposing higher taxes on animal products to reflect their hidden environmental and societal costs.
The health benefits and potential savings in healthcare costs from adopting a primarily plant-based diet are substantial. The consumption of animal products is a major contributor to chronic diseases. Furthermore, the study highlights, “antibiotic-resistant infections in humans are linked to proximity to animal farms and pose a global health threat, claiming approximately 700,000 lives annually.” The widespread adoption of industrialized animal farming has also increased the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza (bird flu) and H1N1 (swine flu), which originate from factory farming practices.
The authors also advocate for including plant-based pet diets in the transition away from animal agriculture. Dogs and cats consume around 9% of all livestock annually. Shifting to nutritionally sound plant-based diets for pets could free up significant amounts of land for climate mitigation efforts.
Achieving meaningful changes in food systems and consumption patterns will require a global shift in mindset. Lead author Dr. Feigin emphasizes, “The future of humanity and all life on Earth depends on sustainability, and the evidence makes it clear—we cannot succeed in addressing climate change without transforming the way we produce and consume food.”