Is 

a 

Planetarian 

diet 

going 

to 

save 

us?

Here we go again… another day another diet. But wait and sit back. I am here to tell you that you are probably already following this diet unintentionally. And that our future is going to look a lot better if we can persuade more people to join. 

First off what is a Planetary health diet? 

It’s very similar, if not the same, as a flexitarian diet. For the most part it contains out of plants but you can als incorporate small amounts of fish, meat and dairy (only when produced locally by small-scale farmers). Further more there is a strong focus on whole foods, unsaturated fats and as little processed foods as possible.

The Planetary health diet was originated in 2015 as a solution for climate change. This planet friendly diet aims for the survival of the human population. Sir David Attenborough, surely the most famous voice of Britain is a strong advocate for the Planetarian health diet. He recently said mankind must stop eating meat for the good of the planet because the meat industry is a leading cause of climate change. It is said to be worse for the planet than the oil industry. Well there you have it.

Do people know that their diet has a big impact on the health of our planet?

Yes they do! And most of us have known that for a long time. In fact, 72% of the Dutch want to eat fewer animals and more vegetable proteins. And that this hasn’t actually lead to a lower meat consumption is probably only a matter of time. Researcher Laura van Heck has articulated this painful contradiction very well. “Thinking is different from doing”.

There is an important role for government in speeding up this proces. Most Dutch consumers would support government measures that will tax the consumption of animal products. Not sure where our cabinet is waiting for?!

Losing biodiversity

By now most of us understand the strong correlation between animal agriculture and climate change. But what most people don’t know is that animal agriculture is the strongest driver behind the rapid loss of biodiversity. And yes this is a big problem because it directly determines our chance of survival. This global issue is best explained by this illustration from Marcel Horck, writer and imker.