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Educate the public about effect of their eating habits

I refer to the commentary “A healthy, climate-friendly diet” (June 26) and the infographic “This parched earth” (June 27).

I refer to the commentary “A healthy, climate-friendly diet” (June 26) and the infographic “This parched earth” (June 27).

In both, we see the threats to the worldwide water supply.

As mentioned in the commentary, a contributing factor is an ever-increasing global livestock population, which “requires much more food, land, water and energy to raise and transport than plants ... (and consequently), damages ecosystems and fuels climate change”.

In Singapore, we are fortunate that much foresight and planning have gone into water sufficiency. But diet choices — specifically, higher meat consumption — are contributing to the problems of water management and environmental degradation elsewhere.

Human habits are hard to change, such as with persuading smokers to quit once they have started, but, in a similar way, perhaps we can do more to inform people about the effect of their eating habits.

As the commentary writer said, just a partial shift and adoption of alternatives can make a difference. Public events where food is served could feature or help to promote alternative food choices, for instance.

The benefits will be better health, both for humans and our planet.

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