Rio +20 Report: Reduce Animal Product Intake

Following Rio +20, leading scientists and policy makers from the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development have released a report recommending a large decrease in animal product consumption. The report examines key threats to water, air, soil, climate, and biodiversity caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus released into the environment by agricultural, transportation, and industrial sectors. The report further acknowledges the growing population’s demand for more food and energy, and suggests reducing per capita meat consumption as one of nine specific solutions to combat environmental pollution. The report also emphasized that while some people around the globe remain undernourished, people in many countries eat more animal products than is optimal for a healthy diet.