On August 9th, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a new report [1] and summary [2] assessing the state of the global climate.
The report is clear. For the first time, the IPCC states unequivocally — leaving absolutely no room for doubt – humans are responsible for the observed warming of the atmosphere, lands and oceans.
The report confirms that our planet will be in the 1.5℃ warming zone in the early 2030s, and if business continues as usual the consequences will be catastrophic.
That does not have to be the result if the right decisions are made today. The report describes five example scenarios. In the best case scenario named SSP1-1.9 temperatures are calculated to remain higher by only 1.0°C to 1.8°C by 2100, but this requires a massive transformation in the way we live.
The report runs to 4000 pages, but shorter readable highlights have been produced elsewhere, eg IPCC Report Highlights from The Conversation [3].
So what is a vegan to take away from this report?
First, and not specifically vegan, is the urgent need for change in our lives in order to reduce our environmental impact. Urgent because the whole planet is now being pushed into unsustainable territory at an unprecedented rate.
Secondly, while not spelt out in part 1, the report confirms the necessity of a widespread take up of plant-based diets. It seems to me that taking up a plant-based diet is the logical response to understanding this report.
Parts 2 and 3 of the reports, to be published in 2022 covering adaptation and mitigation will probably emphasise this imperative.
A plant-based diet is one of the most significant steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and it can be done now, with immediate effect.
It can be taken up by most people, wholly or in part, from the youngest to the oldest
The report is clear that every tonne of CO₂ emissions adds to global warming. So every step, however small, can help to reduce our carbon footprint. In the UK, where the average carbon footprint per person per year, is 12.7 tonnes CO2e [4], many small changes will soon make a large difference.
Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from the diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73 per cent [5], [6]
Thirdly, the report is addressed to governments as well as individuals. Informed government is more likely to be good government.
We should do all that we can to ensure that the government understands the report and acts on its recommendations.
The report makes clear the catastrophic consequences of inaction. For instance, the government could be encouraged to divert large subsidies from livestock production to the plant-based food industry.
In conclusion, we need to tread lightly in our journey on the planet. A plant-based diet is the reasonable and passionate response to the command to Love our neighbours as we love ourselves [7]
[1] https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf
[2] https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/#SPM
[3] https://theconversation.com/ipcc-report-global-emissions-must-peak-by-2025-to-keep-warming-at-1-5-c-we-need-deeds-not-words-165598
[4] https://www.pawprint.eco/eco-blog/average-carbon-footprint-uk
[5] https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987
[6] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/veganism-environmental-impact-planet-reduced-plant-based-diet-humans-study-a8378631.html%3famp
[7] The Bible, Mark 12 verse 31
