The challenge of sustainability is based on understandings of complexity, dynamics, incomplete knowledge and contested values. In human diet, however, that challenge is relatively easy to solve. Healthy diet is also good for nature including whole ecosystems. A responsible person or society would aim to reduce meat intake in order to
(a) secure food for everyone by minimizing grain feeding to cattle,
(b) treat domestic animals in more humane ways,
(c) combat climate change and biodiversity loss,
(d) moderate harms on land and water, and
(e) prevent serious illnesses of humans.
A key challenge is to see the big picture in which food security, vital ecosystem services, good human health and animal welfare are linked and correlative. Finnish university students are in the process of adopting a more sustainable way of food consumption. They need, however, supporting information about the beneficial effects of vegetarian diets on health, environment, global food security and animal welfare to overcome barriers raised by social groups and their own habits.
Salonen, A. & Helne, T. (2012). Vegetarian Diets: A Way Towards a Sustainable Society. Journal of Sustainable Development, 5(6), 10-24.
