{"id":7026,"date":"2026-05-06T19:41:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/?p=7026"},"modified":"2026-05-06T19:41:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:41:27","slug":"from-substitution-to-restoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/","title":{"rendered":"From substitution to restoration"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#From_substitution_to_restoration_or_how_reducing_animal_products_can_free_land_and_unlock_enormous_climate_benefits\" >From substitution to restoration, or how reducing animal products can free land and unlock enormous climate benefits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#If_you_do_not_feel_like_reading_the_whole_article_remember_this\" >If you do not feel like reading the whole article, remember this:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#50_reduction_in_consumption_%E2%80%93_what_would_happen\" >50% reduction in consumption &#8211; what would happen?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Effect_on_agricultural_land\" >Effect on agricultural land<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Agricultural_emissions\" >Agricultural emissions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Water_and_nitrogen\" >Water and nitrogen<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Why_livestock_areas_are_so_large_%E2%80%94_the_efficiency_problem\" >Why livestock areas are so large \u2014 the efficiency problem<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Use_of_freed_land\" >Use of freed land<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Afforestation\" >Afforestation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Rewilding\" >Rewilding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/en\/from-substitution-to-restoration\/#Strategic_food_restoration\" >Strategic food restoration<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_substitution_to_restoration_or_how_reducing_animal_products_can_free_land_and_unlock_enormous_climate_benefits\"><\/span>From substitution to restoration, or how reducing animal products can free land and unlock enormous climate benefits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_you_do_not_feel_like_reading_the_whole_article_remember_this\"><\/span><strong>If you do not feel like reading the whole article, remember this:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_position=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; pointer_events=&#8220;all&#8220;][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<ul>\n<li data-section-id=\"modc38\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"54\">Livestock occupies a disproportionate amount of land<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"st9jar\" data-start=\"55\" data-end=\"105\">A small amount of animal calories costs enormous areas of land<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"nynrro\" data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"158\">Less meat frees millions of square kilometers of land<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1hf4k2t\" data-start=\"159\" data-end=\"208\">Changing diet is a land-use reform<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"194rbai\" data-start=\"209\" data-end=\"253\">It reduces pressure on forests and ecosystems<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1wkns0h\" data-start=\"254\" data-end=\"299\">Agricultural emissions fall significantly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; top_margin_phone=&#8220;-50&#8243; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220; column_padding_type=&#8220;default&#8220; content_layout=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_type=&#8220;default&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<ul>\n<li data-section-id=\"1g6f0za\" data-start=\"300\" data-end=\"344\">Water and nitrogen pressure also decrease<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1au6t63\" data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"394\">Animals are an inefficient intermediary for calories<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"3sp290\" data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"439\">Freed land can capture carbon<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"12aexnd\" data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"493\">Rewilding becomes possible<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"xv1nkx\" data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"545\">The benefits are both climatic and ecological<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1inha0d\" data-start=\"546\" data-end=\"588\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Food choice directly affects land<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]As you may have understood from our tirades so far in other publications, livestock farming requires enormous amounts of land, and this land is taken from the environment through deforestation and the planting of agricultural crops that are used to feed the poor animals, which are then used so we can scratch our taste buds. If you have not understood it by now, you can read it in our articles.<\/p>\n<p>The other problem is that this land, which is wrestled away from nature, has something like an expiration date, because it is not suited to the type of use required for growing those crops. So, after a while, the land can no longer keep up with the pace required to produce the desired quantities and is often abandoned like an old car in a block parking lot, while deforestation begins on new territories and the cycle repeats.<\/p>\n<p>Let us look at why we are so angry at livestock farming and what it has done to deserve it.<\/p>\n<p>Today:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>~50% of habitable land is used for agriculture.<\/li>\n<li>~75\u201380% of agricultural land supports livestock (pastures + feed crops).<\/li>\n<li>And yet animal products provide only a small share of global calories \u2013 in other words, the math does not add up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This creates a structural imbalance:<br \/>\nWe use most of our land to produce a relatively small share of food energy.<br \/>\nWhen people consume fewer animal products and replace them with plant-based alternatives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We do not need so much pasture.<\/li>\n<li>We do not need so many feed crops.<\/li>\n<li>We do not need to cut down forests to turn them into new pastures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The climate benefit would not come only from reduced methane.<br \/>\nIt comes from reducing the pressure we put on land through fertilizers, crops and so on.<br \/>\nAnd pressure on land is one of the biggest drivers of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deforestation<\/li>\n<li>Biodiversity loss<\/li>\n<li>Carbon emissions<\/li>\n<li>Nitrogen runoff<\/li>\n<li>Water stress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Therefore, dietary change is not simply a food-related solution. It is a structural reform in land use.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"50_reduction_in_consumption_%E2%80%93_what_would_happen\"><\/span>50% reduction in consumption &#8211; what would happen?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>What would happen if we replaced 50% of animal products with their plant-based equivalents or products with similar macronutrient content?[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Effect_on_agricultural_land\"><\/span><strong>Effect on agricultural land<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>If we continue on the principle of \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d, agricultural land will continue to expand until, at some point, there is no other land left except agricultural land.<br \/>\nWith the possible 50 percent substitution we mentioned:<br \/>\nAgricultural land decreases by about 12%.<br \/>\nThis translates into ~6.53 million square kilometers freed.<br \/>\nTo imagine it more clearly:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An area larger than the EU<\/li>\n<li>Almost as much as Australia\u2019s agricultural land<\/li>\n<li>~1.5 times the area of the Amazon rainforest<\/li>\n<li>2 times the area of India<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This land is not marginal \u2014 a large part of it is pasture and feed cropland.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; 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image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;column_reverse&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; gradient_type=&#8220;default&#8220; shape_type=&#8220;&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8220;6581&#8243; image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Agricultural_emissions\"><\/span><strong>Agricultural emissions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>With such a desirable substitution:<br \/>\nGreenhouse gas emissions from agriculture fall by ~31% by 2050 compared with 2020.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong><br \/>\nBecause, as we have mentioned more than once, livestock systems are major sources of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Methane (enteric fermentation)<\/li>\n<li>Nitrous oxide (fertilized feed crops)<\/li>\n<li>CO\u2082 from land use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This reduction (~2 Gt CO\u2082-equivalent per year) is comparable to eliminating emissions from major industrial sectors.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Water_and_nitrogen\"><\/span><strong>Water and nitrogen<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Global water consumption would decrease by about 10%.<br \/>\nNitrogen input increases much less than in the reference scenario.<br \/>\nThis is critical because:<br \/>\nNitrogen pollution leads to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Groundwater contamination<\/li>\n<li>Dead zones in rivers and seas<\/li>\n<li>Collapse of biodiversity in aquatic systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Dietary change reduces these upstream burdens.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8220;6583&#8243; image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_livestock_areas_are_so_large_%E2%80%94_the_efficiency_problem\"><\/span><strong>Why livestock areas are so large \u2014 the efficiency problem<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Livestock production is biologically inefficient.<br \/>\nAnimals consume calories and protein for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Metabolism<\/li>\n<li>Body heat<\/li>\n<li>Movement<\/li>\n<li>Inedible tissue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Only a small fraction is converted into edible meat or milk.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nBeef may convert only ~2\u201310% of feed energy into edible calories.<br \/>\nThis inefficiency drives land demand.<br \/>\nTwo main reasons stand behind this large demand:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Grazing<\/li>\n<li>Feed crops (soy, corn, grains)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When we remove the \u201cmiddle layer\u201d of animals \u2013 their consuming plant food and turning it into tasty steaks and sausages for our insatiable palates:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demand for feed drops dramatically<\/li>\n<li>Grazing can be reduced<\/li>\n<li>The expansion of cropland slows, or in a utopian future, stops and these areas may even begin to shrink<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Direct human consumption of plant crops and products is far more land-efficient.<br \/>\nThis is the structural reason why substitution frees hundreds of millions of hectares.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_of_freed_land\"><\/span>Use of freed land<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>What can we do with land that is no longer used for pasture and crop production if the need to feed so many animals is reduced?<\/strong><br \/>\nFreed land does not automatically become forest. It requires care and must be managed. If this happens, the land can serve multiple purposes:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Afforestation\"><\/span><strong>Afforestation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Natural afforestation can capture large amounts of carbon.<br \/>\nAround 1080 Mt CO\u2082 per year is possible from approximately 83 Mha of suitable land, according to the studies we took the trouble to review.<br \/>\nScaling up afforestation on abandoned land could multiply this potential.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8220;6586&#8243; image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;column_reverse&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; gradient_type=&#8220;default&#8220; shape_type=&#8220;&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8220;6589&#8243; image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rewilding\"><\/span><strong>Rewilding<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Instead of monoculture tree plantations, allowing ecosystems to regenerate naturally:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Supports biodiversity<\/li>\n<li>Restores ecological processes<\/li>\n<li>Increases resilience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Rewilding often brings greater long-term ecological value than simple afforestation \u2013 in other words, not just planting one type of tree for the sake of planting something, but paying attention to the interaction between different plant species that coexist under similar conditions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strategic_food_restoration\"><\/span><strong>Strategic food restoration<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Some freed land may be more suitable for crops than for forests.<br \/>\nSpatial prioritization increases efficiency:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Up to 59% more food production that would go directly to human consumption rather than to livestock<\/li>\n<li>Up to 43% more carbon capture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This means that land allocation matters enormously.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/2&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8220;6591&#8243; image_size=&#8220;full&#8220; max_width=&#8220;100%&#8220; max_width_mobile=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;entrance&#8220; animation=&#8220;None&#8220; animation_movement_type=&#8220;transform_y&#8220; hover_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; alignment=&#8220;center&#8220; border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; box_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; image_loading=&#8220;default&#8220;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; overflow=&#8220;visible&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; shape_divider_position=&#8220;bottom&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220;][vc_column column_padding=&#8220;no-extra-padding&#8220; column_padding_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220; column_padding_position=&#8220;all&#8220; flex_gap_desktop=&#8220;10px&#8220; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; column_element_spacing=&#8220;default&#8220; desktop_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; tablet_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; phone_text_alignment=&#8220;default&#8220; background_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8220;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8220;none&#8220; column_shadow=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; column_link_target=&#8220;_self&#8220; column_position=&#8220;default&#8220; gradient_direction=&#8220;left_to_right&#8220; overlay_strength=&#8220;0.3&#8243; width=&#8220;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8220;default&#8220; animation_type=&#8220;default&#8220; bg_image_animation=&#8220;none&#8220; border_type=&#8220;simple&#8220; column_border_width=&#8220;none&#8220; column_border_style=&#8220;solid&#8220;][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]<strong>If we dig a little deeper into these two main directions, we can learn what results efforts in this area could produce.<\/strong><br \/>\nForests and restored ecosystems store carbon in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biomass (trees, vegetation)<\/li>\n<li>Organic carbon in soil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Average carbon sequestration varies widely:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tropical forests: 6\u201310 tCO\u2082\/hectare\/year during early growth<\/li>\n<li>Temperate forests: 2\u20135 tCO\u2082\/hectare\/year<\/li>\n<li>Grassland restoration: lower, but still significant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even conservative global averages (3\u20136 tCO\u2082\/hectare\/year) produce gigaton-scale results when applied to hundreds of millions of hectares.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key point:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe increase in carbon absorption occurs in the early decades of plant growth.<br \/>\nThis makes restoration especially valuable before 2050.<br \/>\nAnd yet climate is not the only crisis. Biodiversity loss is accelerating worldwide.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Agriculture is a leading driver of:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Habitat destruction<\/li>\n<li>Species extinction<\/li>\n<li>Landscape fragmentation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>50% substitution of meat consumption:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Almost stops the expansion of agriculture into natural land<\/li>\n<li>Supports climate and biodiversity&#8230;<\/li>\n<li>Significantly reduces ecosystem degradation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>If freed land is restored:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forest connectivity improves<\/li>\n<li>Wildlife corridors reappear \u2013 repairing, as far as possible, the landscape fragmentation mentioned above<\/li>\n<li>Species ranges expand<\/li>\n<li>Ecosystem connections are restored<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Restored land contributes to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity targets<\/li>\n<li>National nature-conservation commitments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This makes dietary change a biodiversity strategy, not only a climate strategy.<br \/>\nThe combined conclusion from the two directions mentioned above, which we could reach with a little goodwill, is that:<br \/>\nFood substitution is not simply an emissions-reduction strategy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is an intervention in land use.<\/strong><br \/>\nAnd land-use interventions can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduce agricultural emissions<\/li>\n<li>Enable carbon capture<\/li>\n<li>Restore biodiversity<\/li>\n<li>Improve water systems<\/li>\n<li>Increase the resilience of species and nature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Few climate strategies work simultaneously across all these dimensions. So that we do not look like evil vegan cultists, we leave it to you to think about whether it is worth reducing or completely stopping your consumption of meat and dairy products.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8220;&#8220; text_direction=&#8220;default&#8220;]<strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-41837-y?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-41837-y<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-41837-y?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nature<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39242882\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39242882\/<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39242882\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PubMed<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/368350535_Rewilding_abandoned_farmland_has_greater_sustainability_benefits_than_afforestation?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/368350535_Rewilding_abandoned_farmland_has_greater_sustainability_benefits_than_afforestation<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nateko.lu.se\/lanhui-wang\/publication\/f06de2b0-9451-48d8-8ecc-26acd93d6e88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nateko.lu.se\/lanhui-wang\/publication\/f06de2b0-9451-48d8-8ecc-26acd93d6e88<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-40899-2?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-40899-2<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/land-use-diets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/land-use-diets<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8220;in_container&#8220; full_screen_row_position=&#8220;middle&#8220; column_margin=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_tablet=&#8220;default&#8220; column_direction_phone=&#8220;default&#8220; scene_position=&#8220;center&#8220; text_color=&#8220;dark&#8220; text_align=&#8220;left&#8220; row_border_radius=&#8220;none&#8220; row_border_radius_applies=&#8220;bg&#8220; row_position_desktop=&#8220;default&#8220; row_position_tablet=&#8220;inherit&#8220; row_position_phone=&#8220;inherit&#8220;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[452],"tags":[806,810,678,804,808],"class_list":{"0":"post-7026","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-future","8":"tag-animal-products","9":"tag-climate-benefits","10":"tag-future","11":"tag-recovery","12":"tag-substitution"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7026"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7027,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026\/revisions\/7027"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sterasoft.com\/nomeatnoproblem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}