Climate Anxiety is on the Rise
We live in an age when information is readily available, and with that comes transparency about the global impact of climate change. Young Canadians have learned about the effects of greenhouse gases and the science behind these large-scale disruptions to the environment. While it is important to educate ourselves about the growing crisis, it is also having a negative impact on the mental health of young people. Eco-anxiety has been diagnosed in almost 1 million Canadians, mostly in the demographic of individuals under the age of 25. The feeling of despair and helplessness can be overwhelming when we are taught about the devastating effects that our actions are having on our planet. Unfortunately, the problem is so large in scope that it can be difficult for us as individuals to feel that our own actions can make a difference.
How Caring for Our Planet Can be as Easy as Choosing Forks over Knives
While there are many factors that contribute to the overall effect of climate change, it is clear that the agriculture industry accounts for a large portion of this, in fact as much as 60% of the energy that humans are expending is from this industry alone. No one would deny that we need food to survive, but simple choices about the types of food we consume can have major positive impacts to the overall emissions that are created. Here are some statistics to put that into perspective, according to Stanford University:
- Livestock production accounts for 14-18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including 32% of methane gas emissions worldwide.
- More than two-thirds of all agricultural land is devoted to growing feed for livestock, while only 8% is used to grow food for direct human consumption.
There are three major ways that animal agriculture creates problems for our environment:
- Land use: Half of the entire planet’s habitable land space is used for agriculture and feeding live stock.
- Water use: Freshwater is a precious resource that we need to survive and yet animal agriculture requires huge amounts of water to grow feed, provide drinking water to the animals, water to process and package animal products, and lastly to dilute pollution created by all of these processes. As an example, a single pound of beef takes (on average) just over 6,800 litres of water to produce.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Food production accounts for 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with beef alone representing a quarter of that total. Ruminating livestock produce significant amounts of methane (which is far more potent than carbon dioxide) which is part of the problem. Another example, producing 1kg of wheat results in 2.5kg of greenhouse gases, versus 1kg of beef creates 70kg of emissions.
What can you do?
The simplest solution is to avoid meat and animal products altogether. It is clear that if we continue with our eating habits, especially with the rise of meat-based diets in many developing countries around the world, world hunger will continue to rise. It is already estimated that one third of global food production will be at risk by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at their current rate. With the spread of meat alternatives in restaurants and grocery stores, it has never been easier to make planet friendly choices. Many start by incorporating ‘Meatless Monday’, an easy way to lower meat consumption one day per week. As you get more comfortable with learning substitutions or finding whole food alternatives to your favourite dishes, you can try limiting meat to once per day. Would we ever expect anyone to go full vegan? No. It is a difficult process and must align with your moral and environmental values. But just small shifts in how we eat food can have big impacts for our planet.
Learn more about keeping meat in mind while still making educated meal choices here.
Calgary’s Plant-Based Revolution
You may not realize it, but Calgary is home to more than 10 exclusively plant-based restaurants. Eating healthy does not mean sacrificing the joy of eating, as you’ll find in the many glowing reviews from omnivores and vegans alike!
Here are some of our top local vegan restaurants:
A family owned restaurant that specializes in Indonesian and Chinese fare that’s sure to satisfy all those cravings.
Notable as Calgary’s first full-service 100% vegan restaurant, it offers all the crowd pleasing favourites from burgers, soups, salads, killer tacos, and a huge brunch menu.
A super cute bakery with locations in Inglewood and Bridgeland, it has a wide variety of flaky, tasty baked goods like cookies, cupcakes, ‘sausage’ rolls, and homemade ‘pop tarts’.
Calgary’s only fully vegan sushi bar, it has all of your Japanese favourites in a cosy space in the Kensington area.
A classic Chinatown destination with an enormous menu that is exclusively vegan and family owned and operated.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at this custom cinnamon bun shop with every tasty topping you can imagine! Completely vegan and the perfect sweet snack for your stroll along 17th Ave.
Not to mention.... NAN’S NOODLE HOUSE, THE COUP, HEARTS CHOICES, COPPER BRANCH, TAMARIND, and more!
While these restaurants are entirely plant-based, there are a ton of great vegetarian options at most major restaurants throughout the city, waiting to be discovered. What’s your favourite meatless meal?
