What if?
What if we could reduce our dependence on unsustainably produced meat and dairy? What if grocery stores could offer sustainably produced cultured or artificial meat substitutes, from filet mignon to chicken breasts?
Health impacts
The most straight-forward way to reduce the environmental impact of animal products is simply to eat less of them. However, when we compare the subjective wellbeing of adults who eat meat every day to adults who rarely eat meat, we find somewhat mixed results. In our analysis, we find that both men and women who eat meat are on slightly more satisfied with their lives than non-meat eating counterparts. Yet, at the same time, we also find that these adults are less likely to be satisfied with their health. When asked to rate their subjective health on a scale from 1 to 5, adults who rarely eat meat are on average 15% more satisfied with their health than those who eat meat every day.
Low consumption of meat
15
Percentage increase in health satisfaction
Community impacts
Deforestation is one the most important contributors to climate change. Past estimates suggest that deforestation accounts for roughly 12-20% of all carbon emissions, making it the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, behind fossil fuel combustion. In terms of wellbeing, this suggests that deforestation is responsible for roughly one-fifth of all climate-related WALY losses documented in this and previous chapters.
Deforestation
20
Percentage decrease of all climate-related WALY losses
Stability impacts
Deforestation is one the most important contributors to climate change. Past estimates suggest that deforestation accounts for roughly 12-20% of all carbon emissions, making it the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, behind fossil fuel combustion. In terms of wellbeing, this suggests that deforestation is responsible for roughly one-fifth of all climate-related WALY losses documented in this and previous chapters.