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.

    • dangblingus@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

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

      • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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        1 year 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.

      • alcamtar@lemmy.world
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        1 year 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.

        • KapiteinPoffertje@lemmy.world
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          1 year 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!

      • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Absolutely. Lots of places have building codes, this should be one of them. When the demand goes up, the price goes down. Don’t even get me started on car tires.