How can your latte help save the world?

Ok...maybe not save it, that's a stretch. Coffee is a beloved daily ritual for many, but the environmental impact of what we add to our coffee—especially milk—can be significant. I do not drink much milk overall, however, I was curious about this, as I am an avid coffee drinker, and wanted to understand what are the real impacts of milk.

Firstly let's look at the impacts of dairy milk

The environmental concerns:

1. Greenhouse gas emissions: Dairy farming is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which is produced by cows during digestion. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing majorly to climate change.
2. Water: Producing dairy milk requires a substantial amount of water. It takes about 1,050 liters of water to produce just one liter of cow's milk, considering the water needed for feeding and hydrating the cows, as well as maintaining dairy farms.
3. Land use: Dairy farming requires extensive land, both for grazing and growing feed crops like soy and corn. This contributes to deforestation and habitat destruction.
4. Nutrient pollution: Runoff from dairy farms leads to nutrient pollution in water bodies, causing issues like algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and harm aquatic life.

Let's compare the environmental impacts of plant-based milk:

1. Lower greenhouse gas emissions: Plant-based milks generally produce fewer greenhouse gases than dairy milk. For example, almond, soy, oat, and rice milks have significantly lower carbon footprints.
2. Reduced water usage: While water use varies among plant-based milks, many require ALOT less water than dairy milk. Oat milk and soy milk, in particular, use less water than almond milk and dairy milk.
3. Less land use: Plant-based milk production typically requires less land than dairy farming. This reduces pressure on forests and natural habitats.
4. Lower nutrient pollution: Plant-based milk production results in less nutrient runoff compared to dairy farming, which means cleaner water bodies and healthier ecosystems.

What about the ethical issues?

While dairy milk has been a dietary staple for many cultures worldwide, growing awareness around its production processes reveals significant ethical concerns. From animal welfare issues to environmental degradation and human health impacts, the dairy industry faces scrutiny.

Ethical concerns

1. Treatment of cows: Dairy cows are often subjected to intensive farming practices that prioritize milk production over their well-being. This includes confinement in small spaces, limited access to pasture, and a lack of natural behaviours.
2. Forced impregnation (i.e rape): To maintain a steady supply of milk, dairy cows are frequently impregnated through artificial insemination (using tools referred to as 'rape racks'). This cycle of pregnancy, birth, and separation from their calves causes significant physical and emotional stress.
3. Calf separation: Newborn calves are typically separated from their mothers within a day of birth to maximize milk collection for human consumption. This separation is traumatic for both the mother and the calf. Calfs are considered "waste products".
4. Slaughter of unproductive animals: When dairy cows' milk production declines, they are often sent to slaughter. Similarly, male calves, who are not useful for milk production, are frequently killed shortly after birth or raised for veal. In fact globally we kill 21 million baby cows, who are considered 'waste products' of the dairy industry.

And it doesn't end there...we also have health concerns

1. Antibiotic resistance: The routine use of antibiotics in dairy farming to prevent disease and promote growth can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a significant public health risk.

1. Hormones and contaminants: Dairy milk can contain hormones and contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals, which may have adverse health effects.
2. Lactose intolerance: A significant portion of the global population is lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. This can lead to digestive issues and discomfort. But it also leads us to question the fact that if we are so allergic to milk, then is it even made for us?

If we think about it, a cows milk is for its child. If we are not a baby cow, and most of our population is lactose intolerant, it suggests logically we are not meant to have it. And really, past the age of 2, human children wean off their mothers milk. One can conclude that if we are not wanting our own mothers milk in adulthood, perhaps the concept of milk is something to reconsider. But since we are used to the taste of dairy products and the inclusion of them in our daily lives, the good news is that there are alternatives available!

Let's compare popular plant-based milks

SOY MILK

1. Environmental Impact: Low carbon footprint, moderate water use, efficient land use.
2. Pros: High in protein, widely available, phytoestrogen (good for us)
3. Cons: Concerns about GMO soy crops

ALMOND MILK

1. Environmental Impact: Low carbon footprint, higher water use (especially in drought-prone regions like California).
2. Pros: Light flavor, low calories, easy to make at home
3. Cons: Higher water consumption

OAT MILK

1. Environmental Impact: Low carbon footprint, moderate water use, sustainable crop
2. Pros: Creamy texture, good for coffee frothing, easy to make at home
3. Cons: Often contains added sugars - check packaging

In an interview with The Guardian,4 Michaelis Hadjikakou, a researcher from Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia), says that it is often grown as a winter cereal and mainly fed from rainwater rather than irrigation.

COCONUT MILK

• Environmental Impact: Low carbon footprint, low water use, efficient land use.
• Pros: Rich flavor, good for tropical climates
• Cons: Lower in protein, not ideal for all coffee styles

Switching the milk in your coffee to a plant-based alternative is a simple yet effective way to reduce your environmental footprint. Each cup of coffee made with plant-based milk contributes to a more sustainable future, promoting better resource use and lessening the impact on our planet.

Next time you order your latte, consider the environmental benefits of opting for a plant-based option!

To learn more about milk & health

1. Poore, J, Nemecek, T (2018): Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science Vol.360, Issue 6392, pp.987-992. Accessed 8 July, 2019.
2. Poore & Nemecek (2018) Science; additional calculations for plant milks, milk chocolate, and pasta. Accessed 14 August, 2019.

#Health #Fitness #Latte #Vegan #PlantBased #SoyMilk