Non-vegetarian food is as staple diet of a large population, not just in India but in the whole world. Since non-vegetarian food is invariably associated with violence, cruelty and inhumanity, ancient Indian culture has deplored and rejected it. On the other hand, meat lovers argue in its favor by claiming meat’s nutritional value and their heritage. In the early stages, science also used to say in favor of non-vegetarian food, but with progress of time. It has begun to change its tunes. Scientist are now raising a voice against the current popularity of meat and are advocating vegetarianism primarily for maintaining good health and for environmental protection.
It has been established beyond doubt from both health and environmental points of view, that vegetarian food is a much better option. “There seems to be a broad pattern where diets that are healthier for people also cause fewer environmental problems”, said David Tilman, chair of ecology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Tilman and his colleagues studied 15 types of foods for humans. They looked at how each food group affected overall death risk, as well as the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke. The investigators then calculated the environmental impact each of those foods, taking into account : (I) The amount of land and water required , (II) the greenhouse gas mission involved in the production (III) the amount of acidic pollution produced and (IV) the nutrient runoff from each food. Red meat was found to be worst in environmental impact, followed by chicken, egg, fish and dairy products. This is so because, to produce meat, the environment has been extensively encroached upon in the developed countries. In the USA itself, where the output of one kg of wheat requires 50 gallons water, one kg of meat consumes up to 10,000 gallons of water. Clearly, more we adopt vegetarian food, the less will be pressure on the environment and the same resource will be available for fulfilling needs of many humans. According to recent statics, if even 10 percent of Americans stop eating mean than hunger of the entire world can be satiated.
According to an estimate, in acre of land, 8000 kg peas, 2400 kg of carrots and 32000 kg tomatoes can be grown, while in comparison, only 200 kg of meat can produce from the same land. Where 1 kg yield of potatoes requires 500 lit of water, more than 10,000 lit of water are needed to be provide the same weight of meat. It should be pointed out that in modern methods of animal farming, animals are overfed grains, oilseeds and meats of other animals so that they grow fleshy quickly. Two-thirds of all the grains and soybean grown are fed to animals.
So, it is clear that to grow meat by modern methods, the consumption of land and physical resources is many times more. The same could be better used to grow food for many people. Specialists believe that a mere 10 percent reduction in meat consumption can sae lives of 18,000 children and 6,000 adults who die every day due to starvation. One kg of meat production requires 7 kg of grains or soybean. In the process of conversion of grains to flesh, 90 percent of their protein 99 percent of their carbohydrates and 100 percent of their fiber gets destroyed.
To create grazing pasture, the rate at which the forests are being destroyed is creating severe ecological imbalance. Unnecessary disturbance of nature is showing ill-effect like unpredictable climate and global warming. Non-vegetarian food has direct connection with these. Climate change report 2019 released by the UN clearly stats that it is necessary to promote a plant-based diet and reduce the meat-based diet to deal with problem of climate change. About 100 specialists have prepared this report, nearly half of whom where from developing countries. Hans Otto, the co-chair of Working Group II of IPCC which generated this report says – “We do not argue about what people should eat and what they shouldn’t, but from the point of view of both climate and human health, it would be better if people reduce consumption of meat. Policymakers should make policies which promote this notion.” The report also states that it is necessary to save forests as they play vital role in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. There is a need to control the rate at which forests are being destroyed for creating pastures for animals. It says that the massive destruction of forests in the Amazon can convert the entire region into desert. According to climate scientist Carol Norbe of Sao Paolo University of Brazil, this destruction would lead to the release of 50 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere in the next 30-50 years, which is great cause of worry. Hans Otto says “It is unfortunate that several counties do not understand that they need to stop the destruction of forests. We cannot order their governments to stop this deforestation, but we are trying to create public opinion in its favor”
According to the Year 2018 report, global greenhouse gas emissions have crossed the mark of 37 billion tons. This must be brought down urgently so that global temperature can be brought down by 1.5 deg C. for this immediate step need to be take. The report also stats that just the change of human eating pattern can release the burden off lakhs of square kilometers of land by 2050, thereby reducing the global emission of CO2 significantly. In Summary, there is need take significant steps in the direction of changes in the food patters to prevent climate change.
The greatest scientist of the 20th century, Albert Einstein, realized this interdependence deeply, and he had said that to sustain life on the earth, no concept other than promoting vegetarianism would provide as much benefit. In fact, vegetarian eating habit is very natural lifestyle suited to human nature. This habit has been associated with the fundamental existence of humans. Human existence on the earth is stated to be billions of years old. Primarily humans have survived by eating tubers, leaves, flower and plants. Dr. Alan Walker, a famous anthropologist, has done a lot of research on fossils and has established the prevalence of vegetarianism among human beings from ancient times in this study. He has concluded that right from the beginning, the basic food of humans as been plant-based.
Also, vegetarianism is lifestyle that is closely associated with fundamental human values like coexistence with nature, nonviolence, empathy and humanity. Indian culture ahs always advocated this through the precept of “Atmavat-savabhuteshu” (meaning teat everyone like YOU). Living in the lap of nature, protecting nature and adopting a lifestyle compatible with nature have been hallmarks of Indian culture and vegetarianism has been an integral part of it. Modern research studies are also clearly indicating that vegetarian food is the most suitable option from the point of view attaining good health and protecting the environment. The earlier was understand the outcome of these studies and adopt vegetarianism in daily lives, the better it would be for us
ॐभर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यंभर्गोदेवस्यधीमहिधियोयोन:प्रचोदयात्।।
AKHAND JYOTI, JAN-FEB 2020