Improve Diets
Articles/Websites
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Project Drawdown
What it is
- This report summarizes how reducing meat consumption can be an effective solution to climate change.
- Students will learn about the impact of individual food choices and the massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that can be achieved through changes in agriculture and increasing access to more sustainable alternatives.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This resource may inspire students to consider a more plant-based diet to help reduce climate change.
- The report provides many graphics and additional sections for a deep-dive into the topic.
Prerequisites
- It may be important to remind students that growing adolescents, athletes, and pregnant or nursing women may require more than the average number of calories to maintain health.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students may be interested in starting a Meatless Mondays program at school or at home.
- Students can use the Environmental Impacts of Food Data Explorer to further investigate the impacts of their diet.
- Teachers can make cross-curricular connections with social studies classes when discussing the social and cultural aspects of changing your diet.
- Math classes can focus on the statistical evidence presented in the report.
From the scientist review
Scientific evidence from transitioning to a low calorie, nutritious, and plant-based diet can cut 43-68 Gigatons of carbon globally. The resource used country-level data from FAO which is appropriate and engaging for students to explore. Thus, there is no contradiction, and the resource is recommended.
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