Every meal we eat leaves a footprint on the planet, and new research from the University of Cambridge shows just how far that impact reaches.
Using a tool that links agricultural land use to wildlife survival, scientists found that current global food production could drive 700 to 1,100 species of land-dwelling animals toward extinction within the next century if practices remain unchanged.
The study, published in Nature Food, assessed how 140 different foods affect biodiversity by examining their “extinction footprint,” or the potential impact of producing one kilogram of each food on species survival. The new model, called the LIFE metric (Land-cover change Impacts on Future Extinctions), measures how farming and deforestation influence the extinction risk of 30,875 species worldwide.
“Every time anyone eats anything, it has an impact on the other species we share the planet with,” said Dr. Thomas Ball, lead author and researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology. “Our study shows that eating beans and lentils is about 150 times better for biodiversity than eating ruminant meat like beef or lamb.”
The researchers found that beef and lamb have the largest impact on biodiversity loss, though the effect varies depending on where the animals are raised. For example, beef from Australia or New Zealand was 30 to 40 times more likely to contribute to species extinction than beef from the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Popular tropical crops such as coffee, cocoa, bananas and tea also contribute heavily to biodiversity loss, largely because they are grown in regions rich in wildlife.
The findings highlight the hidden global effects of local consumption, particularly in wealthier nations that import much of their food. The UK’s biodiversity footprint, for example, comes almost entirely from imports.
Researchers say the LIFE tool could help policymakers and consumers understand how dietary shifts and agricultural practices affect global ecosystems. Even small changes in consumption, they note, could reduce habitat destruction and support species survival.
This research was supported by UK Research and Innovation through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Global Challenges Research Fund. Additional support came from the Tezos Foundation and Tarides through the Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits.