Economic and Environmental Consequences of a Transformation towards Vegetarian Diets in Germany

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Vegetarian Nutrition
  • Sociological Meaning of Nutrition
  • The Roots of Vegetarian Nutrition
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Forms of Vegetarianism
  • Motives for Vegetarian Nutrition
  • Vegetarians in Germany
• Food Situation in Germany
  • Consumption
    • Meat
    • Fresh Milk and Fresh Milk Products
    • Eggs
    • Fish
  • Production
    • Meat
    • Fresh Milk and Fresh Milk Products
    • Eggs
    • Fish
    • Price Development and Agricultural Accounts
  • Mass Production
  • Feed in Livestock Production
  • Production of Meat Substitutes - Market for Vegetarians
• Environmental Consequences of Livestock Farming
  • Soil
    • Ecological Agriculture
    • Land Use
    • Artificial Irrigation
    • Overfertilization
    • Deforestation and Soil Erosion
  • Water
    • Water Consumption
    • Water Pollution
  • Air
    • Influence of Animal Foods
    • Effects of Air Pollution
• Nutrition Ecology: Impact of Vegetarian Diet
  • Health
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Economy
• Discussion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This Master's thesis analyzes the economic and environmental consequences of a transition towards vegetarian diets in Germany. It explores the current state of vegetarianism in Germany, investigates the food situation within the country, and examines the environmental implications of livestock farming.

• The role of vegetarianism in Germany's food system
• Environmental impact of livestock farming
• Economic considerations related to a shift towards vegetarian diets
• The impact of such a transition on various aspects of society
• Potential benefits and challenges of promoting vegetarianism in Germany

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the stage for the thesis, outlining the research objectives and the importance of the topic. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive overview of vegetarian nutrition, encompassing its sociological significance, historical roots, different forms, and motivations for adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. The chapter further explores the prevalence of vegetarianism in Germany. Chapter 3 focuses on the current food situation in Germany, analyzing consumption patterns of various food groups, including meat, dairy, eggs, and fish. It delves into the production aspects of these food groups and their associated price developments. Chapter 4 delves into the environmental consequences of livestock farming, examining its impact on soil, water, and air. It explores the issues of land use, water consumption, water pollution, and air pollution caused by animal agriculture. Chapter 5 investigates the implications of a vegetarian diet on various aspects of society, including health, social well-being, environmental impact, and economic aspects.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and focal points of this research are: vegetarianism, livestock farming, food consumption, environmental impact, sustainability, economic consequences, Germany, social implications, nutrition ecology, and policy implications.