Vocabulary:
- consumption /kuhn-SUHMP-shuhn/
- drastic /DRAS-tik/
- emission /ih-MISH-uhn/
- sustain /suh-STEYN/
- freshwater /fresh-WOT-er/
[noun] the amount used or eaten
There was a rising consumption of consumer goods worldwide.
[adjective] severe and sudden or having very noticeable effects
The invention of smartphone caused a drastic change in our lives.
[noun] The act of sending out gas, heat, light, etc.
From the hotel window, I could see the emission of pollutants coming from a nearby factory.
[verb] to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time
While on a diet, you will realize you can sustain yourself by eating less.
[adjective] consisting of water that does not contain salt
Only one percent of the world is covered by freshwater.
Following a plant-based diet can make us healthier. But did you know that eating meatless meals can also help fight climate change?
A study from the journal ‘Nature’ reported that the environmental stress caused by the continued consumption of Western diets that mainly contain red meats and processed foods is likely to increase by up to 90% in 2050. Marco Springmann from the University of Oxford said that this could lead to dangerous climate change events including extreme weather condition and drastic water pollution. The study found that the production of animal products accounts for up to 78% of total agricultural emissions.
In order to sustain a healthier earth, we would need to reduce the amount of food loss and waste by half, and also develop better farming techniques. We also need to move towards more plant-based diets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food processing. A mainly plant-based diet could also lessen other environmental impacts and save up to 25% of farmland and freshwater use.
Sharon Palmer, a dietitian, nutritionist, and a plant-based food expert said that if people continue eating meat and processed foods, the environmental impact would be so grave that planet earth would not be able to stand it. So eat healthy to save our planet.
A study from the journal ‘Nature’ reported that the environmental stress caused by the continued consumption of Western diets that mainly contain red meats and processed foods is likely to increase by up to 90% in 2050. Marco Springmann from the University of Oxford said that this could lead to dangerous climate change events including extreme weather condition and drastic water pollution. The study found that the production of animal products accounts for up to 78% of total agricultural emissions.
In order to sustain a healthier earth, we would need to reduce the amount of food loss and waste by half, and also develop better farming techniques. We also need to move towards more plant-based diets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food processing. A mainly plant-based diet could also lessen other environmental impacts and save up to 25% of farmland and freshwater use.
Sharon Palmer, a dietitian, nutritionist, and a plant-based food expert said that if people continue eating meat and processed foods, the environmental impact would be so grave that planet earth would not be able to stand it. So eat healthy to save our planet.
Comprehension Questions:
- According to the passage, from what study did the Western diets report come from?
- According to the report, what causes environmental stress?
- How much is the total of agricultural emissions found in the production of animal products?
- How many percent of farmland and freshwater we can save if we have a mainly plant-based diet?
- According to Sharon Palmer, what will happen if people continue to eat meat and processed food?
Discussion Questions:
- What are some foods that are considered unhealthy? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think a vegetarian diet is better than a diet that includes meat? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that eating healthy can fight climate change? Why or why not?
- Has climate change affected the country in which you live? Please explain your answer.
- What do you do to try to limit the effects of climate change? Please explain your answer.