Climate on the Menu: Nearly Half of Americans Are Willing to Go Plant-Based to Fight Global Warming

Courtesy: Unsplash ph. Elena Mozhvilo

Today, as the planet braces for another critical Earth Day, new data reveals that Americans are looking beyond carbon offsets and recycling bins and turning their attention to their plates. According to a nationally representative survey commissioned by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and conducted by Morning Consult, nearly half of U.S. adults say they would consider switching to a plant-based diet to help combat climate change.

The survey, which polled 2,203 Americans in March 2025, paints a revealing picture of shifting public attitudes around food and the environment. While headlines often focus on electric vehicles or renewable energy, the emissions from what we eat—particularly animal products—continue to fly under the radar. Yet the science is clear: food is a climate issue, and Americans are increasingly aware of that connection.

In the survey, 46% of respondents said they would consider adopting a plant-based diet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Of those, 16% said they would “strongly consider” it, with an additional 30% indicating they would “somewhat consider” the shift. The findings suggest that diet change is not only palatable—it’s gaining traction.

Despite this growing willingness, the data also underscores a persistent gap in public knowledge about food-related emissions. When asked to rank five foods—beef, cheese, tofu, vegetables, and nuts—based on their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, only 16% of respondents answered correctly. More than half (54%) admitted they simply didn’t know which foods were the most polluting. Misconceptions were common: nearly one in four people believed tofu and nuts were more climate-damaging than beef.

In reality, beef is by far the biggest emitter, generating around 70.6 kilograms of CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of meat produced. That’s roughly three times the emissions of cheese, and many times higher than those from tofu (3.2 kg), vegetables (0.7 kg), or nuts (0.4 kg). Methane, a potent greenhouse gas released by cows through digestion and manure, is largely to blame. Though it stays in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO₂, methane is approximately 80 times more powerful in terms of warming over a 20-year period.

The disconnect between perception and reality suggests that public education remains a critical hurdle. Yet the appetite for policy change is strong. Forty percent of those surveyed support taxing the meat and dairy industries based on their greenhouse gas contributions—a move that could level the playing field for climate-friendlier foods. Meanwhile, nearly 60% favor government incentives to help farmers transition from livestock to crops and orchards, suggesting strong support for structural changes to the food system.

Interestingly, younger generations are leading the charge. Over half of Gen Z respondents (56%) and nearly half of Millennials (49%) said they would consider adopting plant-based diets for environmental reasons. This generational shift reflects broader trends in climate consciousness and may hint at more enduring change on the horizon.

A notable majority—about 60%—also believe the U.S. government should include sustainability considerations in its Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As of now, these federal guidelines make no mention of climate change, despite ample evidence linking diet to environmental degradation. They do, however, list a vegetarian option that avoids meat, poultry, and seafood in favor of beans, nuts, soy products, and whole grains—an approach that could halve diet-related emissions if more widely adopted.

Physicians are taking note, too. Dr. Roxanne Becker of the Physicians Committee regularly recommends plant-based diets to patients, citing not only their health benefits—lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity—but also their smaller carbon footprints. “This Earth Day—and every day—people should eat a plant-based diet to keep themselves and the planet healthy,” she said.

The survey’s findings highlight an important inflection point. Americans are starting to make the connection between personal health, planetary health, and what’s for dinner. But for that momentum to turn into meaningful change, better information and bold policy will be needed. Until then, the next front line in the fight against climate change might just be the grocery store aisle.