People are used to seeing stark warnings on tobacco products alerting them about the potentially deadly risks to health. Now a study suggests similar labelling on food could help them make wiser choices about not just their health, but the health of the planet.

The research, by academics at Durham University, found that warning labels including a graphic image – similar to those warning of impotence, heart disease or lung cancer on cigarette packets – could reduce selections of meals containing meat by 7-10%.

It is a change that could have a material impact on the future of the planet. According to a recent YouGov poll, 72% of the UK population classify themselves as meat-eaters. But the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the government on its net zero goals, has said the UK needs to slash its meat consumption by 20% by 2030, and 50% by 2050, in order to meet them.

  • @[email protected]
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    238 months ago

    Not really. The meat industry makes INSANE amounts of GHG emissions. Whataboutism surely won’t solve climate change.

    • @[email protected]
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      78 months ago

      Calling something whataboutism won’t either. That’s just lazy and dismissive.

      The CONSUMER is not going to make a difference. The change needs to happen on an industry scale.

    • @[email protected]
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      -168 months ago

      How so? Cow farts? The grass is going to emit the same gasses whether it decomposes in a cow stomach or in the dirt. I guess the solution to carbon emissions is to pave the earth! No more organics polluting everything.

      • @[email protected]
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        8 months ago

        Most cows eat soy which is produced on former rainforest grounds.

        Additionally, we are better off eating/using what is produced on farmlands directly instead of feeding it to animals. That is much more energy efficient!