WHAT has so far not been discussed in Pakistan is the association between eating habits and respect for climate change. As is well-known, climate change is a human-induced phenomenon and, this being so, includes humans’ consumption behaviour.

A special report released by United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that by adopting a balanced diet, one can significantly mitigate individual carbon footprints. This can be done by adopting the habit of taking a plant-based diet which is less taxing on the environment.

In addition, research has proved that our current food habits, based on animal and dairy products, have put food sustainability in jeopardy, leading to more and more increase in the size of the carbon footprint.

Things can only change by spreading awareness and defining the nexus between climate change and eating habits. Pakistan is an agricultural economy, and a big chunk of it is based on livestock and cattle rearing. To attain this goal in Pakistan, along with government policies, we, as individuals, need to change our dietary pattern first.

Usama
Quetta

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2023