Going Vegetarian Could Eliminate 16 Years Of CO2 Emissions By 2050

Veganism advocates always recommend those non-vegetarians to go vegetarian, saying that it is good for the environment and the animals. And this study seems to strengthen their point.

New York University researchers have found out that a vegan plant-based diet could help get rid of 16 years of CO2 emissions globally by 2050.

The researchers took a look at areas where land was being used to produce animal-sourced food. In these areas, natural vegetation including farm, forests, etc was eliminated. The team then understood that these areas could be restored to its natural ecosystem.

Professor Matthew Hayek said that their results had suggested that there were more than 7 million square kilometers that could be used to regrow forests. And that area would be the size of Russia.

The researchers stated that if more people become vegans, the demand for meat production would become lower. Consequently, vegetation would regrow in those areas. And by 2050, it would help get rid of 9 to 16 years of CO2 emissions.

However, according to Nathan Mueller from the Colorado State University, who is the co-author of the research and also an ecosystem scientist, extensive animal agriculture is economically and culturally important in many places around the world. Thus, the finding can assist in targeting areas where halting ongoing deforestation and restoring ecosystems would yield the largest benefits.

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