Enjoying my meat that’s low on miles | Letter

It’s good to encourage people to reduce their intake of meat and eat more vegetables, but these also contribute to increased CO2 levels, says Dr Kirstine Oswald

I’m glad that the impact of ultra‑processed food on the climate is being investigated. Not only is it bad for our health but it also requires ingredients to be transported around the world (The hidden cost of ultra-processed foods on the environment: ‘The whole industry should pay’, theguardian.com, 8 October).

Meat and dairy are often singled out as foods detrimental to the environment. While it’s laudable to encourage people to reduce their intake of animal-based foods and eat more vegetables, nuts and grains, many of these have also to be transported great distances and so contribute to increased CO2 levels.