Planetary health diet' could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds

"Adoption of a plant-rich planetary health diet could prevent 40,000 early deaths a day across the world, according to a landmark report. The diet which allows moderate meat consumption and related measures would also slash the food-related emissions driving global heating by half by 2050. Today, a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the global food system and taming the climate crisis is impossible without changing how the world eats, the researchers said."

"The planetary health diet (PHD) sets out how the world can simultaneously improve the health of people and the planet, and provide enough food for an expected global population of 9.6 billion people by 2050. The diet is flexible, allowing it to be adapted to local tastes, and can include some animal products or be vegetarian or vegan. However, all versions advise eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains than most people in the world currently eat."

"Today, a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the global food system and taming the climate crisis is impossible without changing how the world eats, the researchers said. Food production is also the biggest cause of the destruction of wildlife and forests and the pollution of water. The planetary health diet (PHD) sets out how the world can simultaneously improve the health of people and the planet, and provide enough food for an expected global population of 9.6 billion people by 2050."

A plant-rich planetary health diet (PHD) could prevent roughly 40,000 early deaths per day and reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by about half by 2050. The global food system currently accounts for about one third of greenhouse gas emissions and drives wildlife loss, deforestation, and water pollution. The PHD is flexible, adaptable to local tastes, and can include moderate animal products or be vegetarian or vegan. The diet emphasizes increased vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains and reduced meat, dairy, animal fats and sugar. High-income regions greatly exceed recommended red meat levels, while some low-income regions benefit from modest increases in animal-source foods. Severe inequalities persist, with the wealthiest 30% of people generating over 70% of food-related environmental damage.

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