Swap In Just One Meatless Meal a Week for an Easy Climate Win

As we emerge from winter, spring brings the promise of leafy greens, ripe red berries, and crisp asparagus—and the joy of planting new fruits and vegetables in home gardens.

All of this serves as new inspiration for the meals you put on your plate. As you test out budding in-season produce and add new plants to your garden, consider another change you can make to bring fresh life to your spring meals: eating a plant-based meal once a week. 

“Vegan diets or plant-based diets, are vastly less resource intensive than animal-based diets,” says Gidon Eshel, research professor of environmental physics at Bard College, who has studied the environmental impacts of plant-based diets.

How much does meat affect climate change?

A meat-based diet weighs heavily on the environment. The production of meat for human and animal consumption is responsible for 57% of total global food production emissions, while the global dairy sector alone contributes to 4% of global emissions. The livestock industry alone is one of the world’s highest emitting sectors, responsible for between 12% to 19% of total human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. 

Most of the industry’s emissions can be traced back to methane, which cattle and other livestock burp up as part of their digestive process. Methane makes up more than half of meat and dairy’s climate pollution, and traps 86 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 20 year time frame. 

Beef, which is 16% more expensive than a year ago, has the highest environmental impact—making it the perfect candidate to swap out in favor of a plant-based protein source, like tempeh or tofu. “Beef is clearly the one to avoid,” notes Eshel. 

Is being vegetarian better for climate change?

Research has shown that what we eat really can have an environmental impact. One 2023 study found that plant-based diets produce 75% less heat-trapping gas, generate 75% less water pollution, and use 75% less land for growing than meat-rich diets. Just one meatless meal a week can reduce your annual carbon footprint by as much as not driving your car for a month. 

As you start shopping, consider visiting your local farmers markets for produce—they often carry in-season fruits and vegetables grown locally, adding another bonus for lowering the emissions impact of your meal. 

While some might worry that a plant-based meal might lack proper nutrition, research has shown that a well-planned, balanced plate can be just as nutritious. A well-balanced vegetarian meal should include a mix of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and plant-based proteins like lentils, tofu, or beans. 

What’s more, eating less meat lowers the risk of heart disease and, one study found, could improve life expectancy. In addition to a healthier planet, a sensible plant-based diet can help boost nutrition, says Eshel. “How can you not like that?”