Will the USDA recognise climate change or $$$

The USDA ‘my plate’ is causing climate change.

Government Dietary Guidelines May Back Off Meat To Be More Environmentally Friendly.

“When the federal government releases its guidelines for healthy eating at the end of the month, the updated version may reflect not only what’s best for human health but the health of the environment, as well. The dietary guidelines are issued every five years and as the new recommendations are being drafted, “an advisory panel to the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Departments has been discussing the idea of sustainability in public meetings, indicating that its recommendations, expected this month, may address the environment,” the Associated Press reported.

Once they are finalized, the new guidelines will be reflected in the USDA’s MyPlate icon, which replaced the famous food pyramid in 2011.

As study after study has shown, meat production takes a heavy toll on the environment and reducing their meat consumption may be one of the most impactful steps an individual can take to live more sustainably. Research published earlier this year in the journal Climactic Change found that global greenhouse gas emissions from livestock increased 51 percent from 1961 to 2010. Another study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identified beef production in particular as having a significant impact on the environment: Beef requires 28 times more land to produce than pork or chicken and 11 times more water, and its production results in five times more greenhouse gas emissions per calorie.

The study published earlier this year in Climactic Change pointed to not only the emissions reductions that come from eating less meat but the health benefits, as well: “the researchers noted ‘significant trends’ toward higher intake of fiber and fruits and vegetables and lower intake of saturated fat as animal-based foods decreased in diets.”

A draft recommendation for the U.S. government’s new dietary guidelines circulated last month reflects both of those potential benefits, according to the AP report. Consuming more plant-based foods and less animal-based foods is “more health promoting and is associated with lesser environmental impact than is the current average U.S. diet,” the draft stated.”

This was reported on the ThinkProgress.org website – you can read in full here.

VLA response:

Never be under any illusion that the USDA isn’t in the pocket of big business. It will be interesting to see if the draft guidelines are adopted. Doubtless they’re being massively lobbied by the meat and dairy industries as usual. For them to recommend any reduction at all in the consumption of meat and dairy would actually be quite significant, as it would also give an acknowledegement that they are contributing factors to climate change (something that’s well known, but which those in power seem reluctant to make a stronger stance on.)
If there is a suggested reduction, one thing is for sure – it won’t be enough. The environmental siutation we face is critical. Please watch Cowspiracy for further education on it.
This is why veganism is a solution and a global imperative. This is why we do what we do.
Meanwhile we wait, with curiosity, to see the new plate…