Consuming Fewer Animal-Based Products Is the #1 Way to Save Our Earth

It's a new year, and our newsfeeds are plagued with statistics about global warming, reports of depleted natural resources, and warnings of energy crises. It's enough to make you want to go off the grid! As an individual, you may be wondering what you can do to help. As the Guardian recently reported, the single best thing we can do for our planet in 2019 is reduce our consumption of animal products.

According to the publication,"In October [2018], scientists warned that huge reductions in meat eating are required if the world is to stave off dangerous climate change, with beef consumption in western countries needing to drop by 90%, replaced by five times more beans and pulses."

Converting more meat-eaters into vegans and vegetarians is important—but the bigger and more feasible goal is to get the average citizen of the world to consume less meat—and fewer animal products overall.

According to the journal Nature, if the world implemented a "flexitarian" diet in which the average person ate "75% less beef, 90% less pork and half the number of eggs, while tripling consumption of beans and pulses and quadrupling nuts and seeds," it would reduce greenhouse gases from livestock by 50%—not to mention the many health benefits of a plant-based diet.

How do we go about changing the perception of a "balanced diet" from meat-centric to whole food/plant-focused? Studies show the key lies in marketing and verbiage—and to make it delicious!

Ironically, though the words "vegan" and "plant-based" may not sell soup at mainstream restaurants like Panera, the self-care and beauty industry has seen a huge surge of interest in cruelty-free and vegan natural beauty, which is an excellent trend for the planet.

After reducing meat intake, transitioning to a clean and green self-care regimen that supports ethical and environmentally friendly companies is the next step to a healthier you and a happier Earth. Check out Elanveda's whole body care products, made with only vegan and natural, wild-sourced ingredients, with sustainable recyclable and reusable packaging: www.elanveda.com

Are you transitioning to a more plant-based lifestyle in 2019? Tell us about your journey in the comments!