[Thematic Report] WTH - What the Health?by Catherine Shim | 21-10-2020 00:38 |
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Vegetarianism, which seemed to only be the new movement among environmental activists, has now become a general trend across the world. According to statistics from WTVOX, approximately 14% of the world practices vegetarianism. Vegetarianism not only allows individuals to become healthier through a plant based diet, but also contributing to a cleaner environment by consuming less meat. GreenEatz points out that a meat lover's diet has double the amount of carbon footprint than a vegetarian diet, as most meat products release massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions. Figures from Environmental Working Group's Meat Eater's Guide shows how lamb takes up carbon footprint equivalent of 39.2kg, beef 27.0kg, cheese 13.5kg, and pork 12.1kg respectively. The documentary "What the Health" spotlights plant-based diets, particularly its effects on the environment and our health. In this short documentary, the director and narrator Kip Andersen investigates the relationship between meat consumption and chronic diseases. By conducting interviews with different nutrition experts and environmental activists, the film shows the environmental costs of a meat-based diet and how plant-based diets can be the solution in addressing diseases such as cancer and diabetes. However, this documentary should be taken with a grain of salt, as one of the main backlashes against this film is its lack of understanding in nutrition research and failure to provide conclusive evidence to support their argument. Many experts have pointed out that the directors of this film fails to address this issue with decent amount of evidence and instead decides to present researches and studies that have been cherry-picked by the directors. (Belluz, Julia) However, the important takeaway from this film is how choosing a plant-based diet can contribute to our planet. It teaches us how we can do a part in saving the environment simply through a lifestyle that produces less carbon footprint and protects animals' rights. While transition to a vegetarian diet was difficult in the past due to the lack of alternative products, the recent boom of the vegan food industry has made is easier to start a plant-based diet. I recommend you to watch this film and get inspired to try a vegetarian diet! Works Cited: Belluz, Julia. ¡°Debunking What the Health, the Buzzy New Documentary That Wants You to Be Vegan.¡± Vox, Vox, 25 July 2017, www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16018658/what-the-health-documentary-review-vegan-diet. Hamerschlag, Kari, and Kumar Venkat. ¡°Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health.¡± Environmental Working Group, 2011. Jane from Green Eatz. ¡°Food's Carbon Footprint.¡± Green Eatz, Green Eatz, 27 Sept. 2020, www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html. Meyer, Mandy ¡°This Is How Many Vegans Are In The World Right Now (2020 Update).¡± WTVOX, WTVOX, 17 Sept. 2020, wtvox.com/lifestyle/2019-the-world-of-vegan-but-how-many-vegans-are-in-the-world/. |
