Financial Inequality Makes a Green Diet Impossible for 20% of the Earth’s Population

Whereas climate scientists want more people to eat greener, that vision might not be viable. The cheapest way of living on a green diet is still too expensive for 20% of the world’s population. 

It is well-known how most humans are actively contributing to the climate change problems through their eating habits. 

A Green Diet Isn’t Always Viable

Doing something about this issue is not necessarily straightforward.

The easier option is to switch to a “green” diet of sorts. It would involve eating more fruits and vegetables. 

Plant-based foods and replacements are also high on the agenda of climate scientists.

As the number of different food types increases, one could expect this change to occur naturally. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the most logical outcome. 

Putting any scientific concerns aside, there is another crucial factor to take into account. 

The cost of a green diet is simply too high for one-fifth of the Earth’s population. In the end, it always comes down to money in one way or another. 

As fruits and vegetables make up most of the food budget, the problem becomes apparent fairly quickly. A green diet requires the most expensive ingredients worldwide. 

It is believed that fruit and veg take up 31% of the average household budget. Although that is a promising figure in its own right, it also causes a lot of financial strain for low-income families. 

That doesn’t mean the green diet isn’t viable in the long run. 

If the wealth of low-income countries were to increase, so would the number of people eating green. On paper, at least, as things are the exact opposite in the real world. 

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