Vallance: “We need to eat less meat in order to save the planet” Vallance claims there is no magic bullet technology to combat climate change and calls for a different eating pattern and fewer flights

  • Patrick Vallance stated that we cannot rely on magic technology to solve climate change.
  • Sir Patrick stated that tackling climate change could be as easy as not flying as often.
  • He stated that he wants green options to be an “easy choice” because they are convenient.










According to the Chief Scientific Advisor of the Government, the solution to the climate crisis could be as simple and straightforward as eating less meat and flying less often.

Sir Patrick Vallance stated that the planet cannot depend on a “magic” technology to solve its climate crisis.

He made these comments while he was joining international scientists in urging leaders to limit global heating to 1.5C.

Sir Patrick Vallance (pictured) said the planet cannot rely on a 'magic' technology to solve the climate crisis. He said he wants green choices to be the 'easy choice'

Sir Patrick Vallance (pictured), stated that the planet cannot rely upon a’magic technology’ to solve the climate crisis. He said that green choices should be the simplest.

Sir Patrick said that green choices should be an easy choice because they are convenient and cost-effective, but that people can make a real difference at an individual level.

He said, “A little reduction in the amount you eat of meat will help you decide not to fly as often.” 

While these individual impacts are not significant, they can have a huge impact on the lives of millions of people. 

“So, I think the behavioural modification part of this is really crucial.”

Almost 40 scientific leaders signed a statement ahead of the Cop26 climate talks, saying it was still possible to keep temperature rises to 1.5C – beyond which point the more severe impact of global warming would be felt.

This is possible only if there are drastic reductions in emissions by 2030 and net zero carbon consumption by 2050.

The Government's chief scientific adviser said tackling the climate crisis could be as simple as eating less meat and not flying so often (file image of Heathrow Airport)

According to the Government’s chief scientist adviser, tackling climate change could be as easy as eating less meat and flying less often (file image Heathrow Airport).

According to the advisers, stabilizing the climate would reduce sea level rises and extreme weather conditions, increase prosperity, and protect human health as well as nature.

According to the statement, limiting global warming will require ‘rapid, urgent and sustained action’ and significant behavioural and socioeconomic transformations throughout the world. 

Sir Patrick stated that the green choice must be the easiest choice. He added that if there are too many barriers to doing something, you won’t see the mass change that is needed.

‘For the green choice to be the easy choice, there are a number of factors in that, including of course price – because if things don’t come at an affordable level, then it’s impossible for people to do it or there’s a barrier for people to do it. It must be easy to use.

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