Environmental impact of diet choices - does it matter?

Beyond personal health, does anyone here factor environmental impact into their food choices? Animal agriculture is responsible for ~15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. I went vegan partly for this reason.

Not trying to preach, genuinely curious if this influences anyone else's decisions.

Good topic. This is a nutrition forum so we focus on health, but environmental impact is a valid consideration. Let's keep this civil everyone.

The environmental data is clear: plant-based diets have significantly lower carbon footprints. But "less meat" matters more than "no meat" for most impact reduction. Going from average American meat consumption to even 50% less would be massive at scale.

I eat meat and I'm not going to stop, but I have reduced my consumption and buy from local farms when I can. Not perfect but better than nothing.

I'm not vegan but I eat plant-based probably 4-5 days a week. Partly health, partly environmental. Every bit helps even if you're not 100%.

Food waste is probably a bigger lever than diet type for most individuals. We waste about 30-40% of food in the US. Wasting a chicken breast has a bigger carbon footprint than eating a chicken breast.

Respectfully, I prioritize my health first. My keto diet involves a lot of meat and it's transformed my metabolic health. I try to buy sustainably sourced when possible but my health comes first.

Appreciate the civil discussion. @DrMacro makes a great point — reduction matters more than perfection. "Meatless Monday" for everyone would do more than 5% of people going fully vegan.

I think as a community we can agree: eat more plants regardless of your overall diet philosophy. Good for you, good for the planet, and nutritionally sound.