Resources required to produce food

Analysis of the emissions from agricultural supply chains and land use shows animal-based foods require more resources and leave a larger footprint on the climate compared to plant-based foods.

Notes: Emissions from agricultural supply chains include livestock, soil fertilization, energy use and rice paddies, transport, packaging and processing. Carbon opportunity costs include the estimated missed potential of the land used to produce the food if it were instead returned to its native vegetation, as well as potential additional carbon losses from clearing natural ecosystems for the purpose of producing food.
Chart: Tyler Pecyna/Post-Gazette Source: World Resources Institute