Online attacks threaten major climate-friendly diet report

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🗞️ Driving the news: A major update to the EAT-Lancet Commission’s planetary health diet report — which advocates for a shift towards plant-rich, environmentally sustainable diets — is under coordinated attack from pro-meat misinformation campaigns
• The update, released Friday, consolidates global research from over 35 countries and reinforces the 2019 conclusion that reducing meat and dairy consumption is essential for both human health and climate action

🔭 The context: The original 2019 report, widely cited and endorsed by health and environmental experts, linked dietary changes to potential reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of over 50% and up to 15 million preventable deaths annually
• However, it also became a target of disinformation, particularly from meat and dairy industry-linked groups
• A new investigation by Changing Markets Foundation has exposed a persistent and coordinated effort — involving “mis-influencers,” industry-friendly experts, and social media amplification — to discredit the science as elitist, unscientific, or anti-meat

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Food systems contribute nearly 30% of global emissions, making dietary transformation a key lever in the fight against climate change
• The updated EAT-Lancet findings show that more balanced, diverse diets — lower in red meat and ultra-processed foods — can reduce environmental pressure, preserve biodiversity, and promote long-term public health
• But the influence of industry misinformation threatens to stall progress, especially as disinformation campaigns gain traction on social media platforms with weakened content moderation

⏭️ What's next: The EAT-Lancet Commission is responding by reframing the narrative, emphasising cultural diversity, flavour, and health benefits rather than perceived deprivation
• The new report will feature visual examples of traditional, plant-forward meals from around the world to counter negative messaging
• Advocates are also calling for stronger regulation of digital misinformation and shared accountability from social media companies
• As food security, climate, and health converge, governments may face increasing pressure to incorporate sustainability into national dietary guidelines

💬 One quote:
"We’re not dictating any specific one-fit-for-all type of diet … this is something that could be delicious, aspirational, and healthy." – Walter Willett, co-author and Harvard nutrition professor

📈 One stat: The original 2019 EAT-Lancet report has been cited over 10,000 times in scientific literature — yet remains one of the most targeted climate-health studies in online disinformation networks

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