The NHS is said to have a massive deficit for the problems resulting from poor nutrition.
BBC Farming today is talking about campylobacter on chicken. There are some 280,000 cases of food poisoning in the UK every year.
Oxford Martin School – University of Oxford
‘Eating habits must change to protect people and planet’, urges new research
16 Jun 2014
The report, Changing What We Eat, published today by the Food Climate Research Network (FCRN), part of the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, outlines the work needed to shift societies to consumption patterns that can meet both public health and environmental goals.
Experts say global trends in eating habits – including increasing meat consumption in many parts of the world – are detrimental both to the environment and to human health, and that a significant shift in consumption practices among high consuming populations is needed.
Livestock rearing, for meat and dairy products, carries a particularly high environmental cost, accounting for some 15 per cent of global GHG emissions.
At the same time, current eating patterns, alongside other lifestyle factors, are putting an unsustainable burden on health services around the world. (not only in the UK)
BBC Farming today, 27th November 2014, is talking about campylobacter on chicken. There are some 280,000 cases of this type of food poisoning in the UK every year. This is costing the UK National Health Service £280M per year and they went on to say if you are already ill in some other way this type of food poisoning can lead to death.
It appears from this pie chart of recommended food consumption that meat. fish and eggs are a small proportion of what is recommended by the NHS.
But if we are to comply with the advice from the Martin School at Oxford University we have to cut livestock rearing much more to reduce the 15% of global GHG emissions.
The report follows a workshop organised by the FCRN, and funded and hosted by the Wellcome Trust with additional support from the UK’s multi-agency Global Food Security Programme. The report invites collaboration with the FCRN in driving forward investment and research.
The UK’s Independent put it:
“Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.”
That figure comes from no less authority than the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (source)
TIME Magazine agrees, saying, “It’s true that giving up that average 176 lb. of meat a year is one of the greenest lifestyle changes you can make as an individual.”
Sustainable Agriculture London adds:
It’s about the way we farm too. If we farmed in the way we recommend we would save even more carbon emissions. Our methods of black carbon farming sequester 3 times more carbon than any above ground plant.
The Oxford Real Farming Conference 2014
It was quoted at this conference that carbon emissions from global agriculture is responsible for more carbon emissions than all other industry put together.