Is a Plant-Based diet sustainable for the planet?

It’s a big question, but here I am to throw my thoughts into the ring. When it comes down to plant-based eating, sustainability is ultimately about cost:

• What does it cost the planet? In terms of land, water, carbon emissions?
• And what does it cost me? In terms of health, money, access?

In my 4 years of being 95% plant-based (5% counts for consumption of chocolate when I’m sad, or dairy milk in tea at other people’s houses out of sheer awkwardness) – I’ve found that people (usually those who eat meat and dairy) often level criticism at what they believe to be core elements of a vegan diet…

Did you know that Almond milk uses more water in production than dairy milk?

Did you know that in California, the huge demand for avocados has created a monoculture, and disrupted the local ecosystem?

Did you know that soybean cultivation is one of the largest agricultural drivers of deforestation?

Don’t get me wrong, all of these examples have elements of truth to them…For example, almond milk does use more water than dairy milk, but its carbon emissions are much lower. Demand for avocados has created a monoculture in parts of California, but it’s not just the vegans who have created the demand. Soybean cultivation is responsible for huge amounts of deforestation, but just 6% of the world’s soybeans are turned into products for human consumption whilst 80-90% is fed to farmed animals.

And ultimately, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with drinking almond milk, or eating the occasional avocado, or soy-based meat substitutes. Are they the most sustainable plant-based foods? No. But comparatively, are they still more sustainable than the meat and dairy industry? Yes.

Plant-based eating is not a sustainability contest. It’s just people making small positive changes to their day-to-day lives. Maybe switching to almond milk or soy ‘chicken’ pieces is just the first crumb in a trail that leads you to a fully plant-based diet, or perhaps you’re happy where you are. Either way – you’re doing fine.

However, for me, part of the commitment to plant-based eating is a commitment to living as lightly as possible. It’s a commitment to building sustainable shopping, eating and living habits. Habits like finding the most sustainable milk alternative that is accessible and affordable to me; learning and buying what produce is in seasonal here in the UK; buying ingredients rather than products; trying to avoid plastic packaging and excess food waste; supporting local growers, green grocers, and community gardens when and where possible…

And I know that I speak from a place of privilege, and that not everyone has the access, time or money to live by this model of plant-based eating. And that’s OK. It’s not one-size-fits-all. This is just my version of living lightly.

Mary Sharples