Changed nutrition from environmental care: Large part of consumers has changed eating habits (SEO: concern for the environment, MSC)

Changed nutrition from environmental care: Large part of consumers has changed eating habits (SEO: concern for the environment, MSC)

Most of the consumers in Germany have changed its eating habits in recent years out of concern for the environment. According to a worldwide survey by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), over 80 percent of the more than 27,000 people surveyed in 23 countries have changed their eating habits in the past two years. In Germany, 1,087 of 1,375 respondents stated that they had changed their diet. The main reasons for the changed eating behavior cited 55 percent of those surveyed in Germany to concern the environment, followed by health aspects and cost reasons.

The greatest change in behavior has been used in eating red meat such as beef or lamb, since 48 percent of those surveyed in Germany provide for reducing the consumption of red meat in the past two years. In contrast, 38 percent of Germans today eat more vegetables than two years ago. With regard to fish consumption, 32 percent indicate less fish and seafood today, while 6 percent consume more fish. A third of the respondents said that they would eat more fish or seafood if it were ensured that the fishing of the seas do not endanger.

The German public is increasingly aware of the ecological importance of the sea. 64 percent of the respondents in Germany stated that, given the extreme weather events of the past few years, it was more desired to protect the oceans. At the same time, 57 percent of the respondents in Germany recognize the importance of sustainable fishing for the preservation of endangered species and healthy fish stocks.

Menno Bax, head of the MSC for Dach and Benelux, emphasizes the need to combat the overfishing of the seas worldwide. He emphasizes that sustainable fishermen should be rewarded and consumers can pay attention to sustainable origin when buying fish, whereby the MSC seal offers orientation.

It is emphasized that more sustainability in fishing is urgently required. MSC-certified fisheries have taken over 400 measures to protect endangered marine animals and marine habitats in the past three years. Fishermen that are certified according to the standards of the MSC must fishing fish stocks sustainably and minimize their effects on the sea environment.

The protection of the seas and its biodiversity is of crucial importance for the health of our planet. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the earth and produces at least 50 percent of the oxygen. It houses most of the biological diversity of the earth and is the main protein source for over a billion people worldwide.

The results of the study commissioned by the MSC will be published on the day of the sea on June 8, which has been proclaimed by the United Nations since 2008 to raise awareness of the effects of human action on the sea and to achieve sustainable management of the world's oceans.

Some relevant facts and numbers:

- 55 percent of the 1,375 people surveyed in Germany gave concern for the environment as the main reason for their changed eating habits.
- 48 percent of the respondents in Germany have reduced their consumption of red meat in the past two years.
- 38 percent of Germans today eat more vegetables than two years ago.
- 32 percent of the respondents in Germany today eat fewer fish and seafood than two years ago, while 6 percent consume more fish.
-64 percent of the respondents in Germany, given the extreme weather events in recent years, feel a stronger desire to protect the oceans.
- 57 percent of the respondents in Germany combine sustainable fishing with better protection of endangered species.
-MSC-certified fisheries have implemented over 400 measures to protect endangered marine animals and marine habitats in the past three years.
- The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the earth and produces at least 50 percent of the oxygen.
- The ocean is the main protein source for over a billion people worldwide.

Source: Press release of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Source: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)/OTS