Humans can reduce the dangerous effects of climate change as well as ensure global food security by simply moderating their meat consumption. This was the basic finding of a study conducted by the researchers from Cambridge and Aberdeen Universities.

The study has revealed that greenhouse gases from food production will go up by 80% if meat and dairy consumption continues to rise at current rate. In the long-run, it could become very difficult to meet global targets on limiting emissions.

The study was done keeping in view that more and more people around the world are adapting to American-style diets, whereby they increase their meat and dairy intake. Also, the population is on the rise, so to meet the projected food demands, more land will be brought under cultivation which would mean deforestation. This deforestation will further increase carbon emissions, biodiversity loss and livestock production. Methane level will rise as a direct result.

The lead author of this study was Bojana Bajzelj from the University of Cambridge in Britain. He along with his team analyzed evidences such as land use and land suitability to create a robust model that is able to compare different scenarios for 2050.

About this analysis, Bojana said, "It is imperative to find ways to achieve global food security without expanding crop or pastureland. As we eat more meat, more arable cultivation is turned over to producing feedstock for animals that provide meat for humans".

Bojana further added that it is not the agricultural practices that are to be blamed but actually it is the choice of food that globally people make.

The study suggests that the situation can be improved if farmers in developing countries are provided help to achieve the best possible yields from their lands. Another big improvement will come if the world's population learns to stop wasting food. The study further urges people to eat two portions of red meat and seven of poultry per week.