Most Americans are willing to eat less meat and choose plant-based meat

According to a recent survey of more than 1,000 people by Yale University and the nonprofit Earth Day Network, more than 90 percent of Americans are “willing” to eat more fruits and vegetables, and more than half are willing to give up some meat and switch to And eat more plant-based meat alternatives.

Why don’t Americans have more vegetables on their plates? 64% of survey participants said it was as simple as no one asking them to eat more plant-based foods. Another 58 percent said a plant-based diet would just cost too much, and about 50 percent were unsure whether to buy plant-based food, or how to cook it.

Experts point out that regardless of the obstacles, it is vital for the environment that people eat more plants. “If we don’t make a link between the food we’re eating and climate change, we’re doing ourselves a disservice,” Earth Day Network food and environment director Jillian Semaan told The Verge. “Today, anyone can take The most immediate action is to look at your own dishes and food intake.”

According to a study commissioned by Beyond Meat from the University of Michigan, the meat substitute Beyond Burger produces 90 percent less greenhouse gases and 99 percent less impact on water scarcity compared to U.S. beef.

The Semaan report found that 70 percent of Americans rarely or never discuss the impact of food on the environment. She hopes that learning about the environmental cost of meat will change perceptions and reduce meat consumption. “If people knew more about the impact of their food choices, they would make better decisions,” she said.