Would cutting out just beef have a significant climate impact? A major study published in 2018 in the journal of Science (Poore and Nemecek, Science) calculated the average greenhouse gas emissions associated with different foods. The Science calculations show six times the climate impact of beef production as compared to chicken. This impact on climate grows when beef is raised in countries like Argentina and Brazil where meat production practices often result in deforestation. So yes, reducing or eliminating the consumption of beef from our diets would have a significantly large impact on our carbon footprints.

What’s the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Vegetarian is a broader term for excluding animal products from your diet. A vegetarian diet will exclude meat but often  includes eggs and dairy. A vegan diet strictly avoids any food that contains animal products, including dairy and eggs. 

Do I have to go vegan to make an impact? Eating a vegan diet will have the most impact, but you can still make a difference even if you don’t commit to a strict diet. Remember, you don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to eat vegan and vegetarian food. You could try eating vegetarian every other day or just consciously choosing more vegan options at stores and restaurants. You might find you naturally eat less animal products as you begin to find more vegetarian and vegan recipes you love!