U.S. Adults, Climate Change, And The Switch To Plant-Based Foods

Although the beneficial effects of a plant-based diet on global change have been well-studied, the majority of Americans are neither vegetarian nor vegan. Global food production contributes up to 30% of global emissions — with animal agriculture making a large proportion of this —  in addition to other effects such as habitat destruction and freshwater use. A large-scale transition to a more plant-based diet is one collective action that would greatly reduce the impact of diet on global warming and environmental changes. However, adoption by U.S. adults has been slow, as only about 3% of the adult population consider themselves vegetarian, and even fewer as vegan (about 1%). 

To find out the reasons for this, researchers asked 1,043 adults in the U.S. about their dietary habits and perception of plant-based diets. The most important results are summarized below.

The first questionnaire topic gave an overview of the typical food choices and eating habits among U.S. adults. Only half (53%) say they eat grains, vegetables, and dairy daily. Most never or only rarely eat tofu (82%), plant-based meat alternatives (72%) or dairy alternatives (59%). In contrast, 68% eat chicken two to five times a week. 

Second, the most important factors regarding purchasing and eating plant-based foods were reported as health (91%), taste (83%), convenience (77%), and price (75%). Surprisingly, the top reason against trying plant-based foods was lack of awareness (91%), i.e., “I’ve never been asked to try plant-based foods.” High prices (58%) and “not knowing what to try” (53%) were the next top factors in hesitancy. Lower-income households, defined as having an annual household income of less than $50,000, were more likely to report more difficulties in access to produce and plant-based foods than middle- and high-income households. Furthermore, about half of respondents (49%) thought that meals with plant-based main courses to be more expensive than those with a meat-based main course.

Although most  (81%) said they prefer meals with meat, more than half (55%) would be willing to consume more plant-based meat alternatives and specifically to eat less red meat (54%). The vast majority (94%) would be willing to consume more fruits and vegetables. Again, improved taste (67%), lower prices relative to meat (63%), and better access (62%) were the most salient factors in the potential switch to plant-based foods. 

Most U.S. adults are not aware of the impact of agriculture on climate change. Roughly one-quarter of respondents, on average, did not think that animal agriculture contributes at all to global warming; about one-fifth, on average, did not know at all.  Only about half of respondents were aware that animal agriculture contributes to global warming at all, and few thought that beef (27%) and pork production (20%) specifically affect global warming “a lot.” Meanwhile, more U.S. adults believe that using efficient cooking methods and appliances would have a larger impact on global warming than adopting a plant-based diet. 

This lack of awareness seems to have several causes. First, about 40% of respondents said they only hear about the impact of agriculture on climate change less than once per year. 35% percent never look up information on this topic, and similarly, 39% never talk to friends and family about it. 

From the survey, it is estimated that about one-third of U.S. adults are “alarmed” about global warming – this group has most readily accepted the reality of climate change and are supportive of actions against it. About half (57%) of “alarmed” respondents do regularly talk to their peers about the impact of different foods on climate change. They were also the most likely to purchase (52%) products from companies that publicize their efforts to minimize their environmental impact, and boycott those that don’t (42%). These respondents were also significantly more willing to change their food habits to include more fruits and vegetables, try plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as eat less red meat. 

Although the report gives no direct conclusions on the survey results, the data implies that, while many people overall are not aware of the impact of animal agriculture on climate change, most are willing to try plant-based food alternatives if they are more frequently presented with information and easier access to them. Food access and competitive pricing with animal products would probably increase more plant-based food purchases overall.