Which Plant Milk Is Least Terrible For The Planet?
Credit to Author: Andrea Bertoli| Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 18:00:50 +0000
Published on January 31st, 2020 | by Andrea Bertoli
January 31st, 2020 by Andrea Bertoli
You’ve probably heard that plant-based milks are better for you than dairy milk. Well, it’s definitely true, and while the plant-based milk industry is expanding rapidly, it’s not a totally perfect system.
The Guardian published a great article a few days ago that dives into the details about which plant milk is least terrible for the planet. The winner of the plant milk footprint was oat milk, which is pretty new to the market, but has exploded in popularity in recent years.
I use coconut milk as my daily creamer in green tea; photo by VibranWellnessJournal.com, used with permission.
There are lots of reasons to ditch dairy – cruel conditions for both animals and farmworkers, emissions from cows destroying the atmosphere, and of course, health issues from head to toe from eating dairy.
Dairy doesn’t always have to be so terrible – there are definitely farms doing it better. Yet there are still considerations when it comes to feed (it takes a lot to fatten a cow), emissions from raising these animals, and the noted ill health effects. The dairy industry in the US is supported by Checkoff Programs that essentially support farmers for making more milk and cheese, and then foists it upon consumers in savvy marketing campaigns (Got Milk?). This means that we have a lobby that encourages us to drink more milk, eat more cheese and butter, and not worry about the effects it might be having on our health.
It also means that the whining dairy lobby does silly things like create lawsuits against using the word ‘milk’ when it comes to almond milk, soymilk, and other plant milks – which are growing in popularity and thus threatening the dairy industry. In fact, many dairy operations around the country are shutting down due decreased demand.
“All milk alternatives are far better for the planet than dairy,” Guardian reporter Annette McGivney explains. “A 2018 study by researchers at the University of Oxford showed that producing a glass of dairy milk results in almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions than any plant-based milk and it consumes nine times more land than any of the milk alternatives.” It’s great news that plant milks are better for the planet – though they are not perfect.
I loved this article in The Guardian, because I like to see the details of our foodprint really analyzed. I was, however, sad to see my everyday milk (coconut milk) land on the naughty list. McGivney gives some simple explanations, which I’ve summarized below with lots of commentary.
Once upon a time I made my own almond milk; photo by VibranWellnessJournal.com, used with permission.
Another note about choosing your milks: whatever type of milk you buy, always choose unsweetened. There is often a ton of sugar added to plant milks, so be mindful of the extra sweetness, and choose those with the least amount of ingredients. Same goes for all those yummy vegan creamers and yogurts.
The summary of the Guardian article is pretty awesome: McGivney explains that it’s really about choosing plants over dairy, even with all these shortcomings. “Consumers should drink whatever plant milk is most appealing to them and not fret over sustainability shortcomings, which are chump change compared with the environmental harms from dairy.”
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Andrea Bertoli I’m an experienced marketing and sales professional focused on mission-driven businesses, and currently I manage Sales and Partnerships for CleanTechnica. I’m also a journalist, green investor, wellness educator, surfer, and yogi. Find delicious food and wellness stuff on my Instagram @VibrantWellness.