MEAT

The stats behind this are insane. If no-one on Earth ate meat or drank dairy, the global farmland areas could reduce by more than 75%, which equates to an area the size of US, China, European Union and Australia combined - (HOLY MACKEREL!) - but the most amazing thing about this is that the remaining farmland would still be able to feed the whole world. In short, plant-based farming is hugely less demanding on the planet’s resources. Claiming back land as wild areas would reverse some of the mass wildlife extinctions we are currently experiencing, and a whole load more trees would help absorb some of the CO2 we’re pumping into the air. And environment aside, who doesn’t love a forest?

Now, I’m not suggesting you give up eating meat entirely, and if you can barely go without meat for a meal, start small. Try Meat-free Mondays. Just one day a week will make a small difference. And you never know, you might like it and try it more frequently.

When you do buy meat, buy locally sourced cuts as they’ve travelled less and come with a lower carbon footprint - what a great reason to support your local butcher?

HOW NOT TO MISS MEAT
- Anna Jones is, in my eyes, a wonder in the kitchen. I can’t rate her recipes enough.
- The excellent LEON has published a brilliant book about cooking quality veggie food, quickly: Fast Vegetarian
- More veggie and vegan cookbooks recommended by The Independent

FURTHER READING
- The Guardian analyses the facts
- Which meats are best for the environment?