People are used to seeing stark warnings on tobacco products alerting them about the potentially deadly risks to health. Now a study suggests similar labelling on food could help them make wiser choices about not just their health, but the health of the planet.

The research, by academics at Durham University, found that warning labels including a graphic image – similar to those warning of impotence, heart disease or lung cancer on cigarette packets – could reduce selections of meals containing meat by 7-10%.

It is a change that could have a material impact on the future of the planet. According to a recent YouGov poll, 72% of the UK population classify themselves as meat-eaters. But the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the government on its net zero goals, has said the UK needs to slash its meat consumption by 20% by 2030, and 50% by 2050, in order to meet them.

  • Spzi
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    41 year ago

    We need to do all of it, it’s not an either-or. That luxury is long gone.

    • @Aux
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      -61 year ago

      Cattle don’t have any impact though.

      • Spzi
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        21 year ago

        That’s a weird take. Methane emissions are one impact, land use change another. There are even studies arguing in both directions.

        Meat production is a main driver of rainforest deforestation. All three of these claims are well documented and easily searchable.

        So either way, it’s evidently wrong to say cattle don’t had any impact.

        • @Aux
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          -21 year ago

          There’s no rainforest in the UK.

          • @[email protected]
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            01 year ago

            the UK has lost a lot of its own natural land, though. lots of native species there are dwindling. look it up