Diet for Human and Planetary Health: Why We Should Consider Limiting Meat?

Abstract

Climate change is currently the most significant threat to public health, and human activities are the major contributing factor. There is an urgent need to prioritize mitigation strategies at both personal and public policy levels. There is a general lack of belief that changes at a personal level would have a significant effect. However, it is vital to recognize the importance of food consumption on one’s personal footprint and how it can be used as a key feature in mitigation efforts. The Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan projects that reducing meat consumption per individual by 50% reduces an individual’s carbon footprint by 35% per day and reducing by 90% cuts an individual’s carbon footprint by 51% per day. Additionally, high meat consumption has been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and colorectal cancer. In contrast, plant-based diets are linked to better health outcomes and lower mortality rates. This article is a narrative review and reviews current evidence on the health and environmental impacts of meat-based diets and highlights the potential benefits of plant-forward dietary patterns. These findings support the integration of dietary recommendations into climate and public health strategies. Promoting plant-based diets through clinical guidance and policy initiatives may offer a cost-effective, scalable approach to advancing both population health and environmental sustainability.