NHA Today Podcast by National Health Association

February 21, 2025 120: Plant-Rich Solutions with Sarah Lake: The Climate Impact of Eating and Investing Smarter

When it comes to solving the world’s biggest challenges—climate change, food insecurity, and public health—where do we even start? According to Sarah Lake, CEO of Tilt Collective, the answer lies in a powerful combination of philanthropy and plant-rich diets. In her conversation with Dr. Frank Sabatino on the Health Science Podcast, Sarah outlined how these two forces can drive systemic change and create a sustainable future.

Here’s why this matters—and how you can help move the needle.

Philanthropy: A Critical Catalyst for Change

Can philanthropy really make a difference in climate action? Sarah Lake confirmed this to be true. Philanthropic investments do more than fund projects—they de-risk innovative ideas, paving the way for larger public and private sector funding.

“Philanthropy is critical in paving the pathway for greater investment, even when governments are slow to act,” Sarah explained. Examples from renewable energy and electric vehicles show how early philanthropic contributions spark momentum that leads to transformative results.

But philanthropy doesn’t just support new technologies; it also helps reframe critical conversations. Tilt Collective conducts research to showcase the value of these investments, providing policymakers with clear, actionable data that resonates with their priorities. Whether it’s reducing healthcare costs or strengthening food security, philanthropy opens doors to solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.

The Power of Plant-Rich Diets: Five Times the Impact

Here’s a shocking statistic: Shifting to plant-rich diets has five times the climate impact of renewable energy. That’s right—your plate has more power than your Prius.

“This isn’t about making a more sustainable cow—it’s about removing the cow from the equation,” Sarah noted. Producing and consuming less meat drastically cuts greenhouse gas emissions, reduces food waste, and frees up land for carbon sequestration. By turning agricultural land into carbon sinks, we can double down on climate benefits.

The best part? Change doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Sarah emphasized that even small reductions in meat consumption—especially among the biggest consumers—can make a huge difference. In the U.S., for example, 50% of red meat is consumed by just 12% of the population. Addressing overconsumption alone could move us significantly closer to climate goals.

Breaking Barriers: Making Plant-Based Choices Accessible

Why aren’t plant-based options more widespread? Sarah pointed to systemic issues like food deserts and economic inequality, particularly in the U.S., where affordable, calorie-dense fast food often wins over healthier, more sustainable choices.

“People want the McDonald’s Big Mac that fits their $5 budget,” she explained. Meanwhile, in countries like the U.K., government subsidies make plant-based options more affordable, encouraging widespread adoption.

Tilt Collective is working to bridge this gap by advocating for policies that make plant-rich options accessible and affordable for everyone. But they can’t do it alone—and that’s where you come in.

Hope on the Horizon: Why Change Is Possible

Despite the challenges, Sarah is optimistic. “Money talks and cows walk,” she said, pointing to businesses that are already profiting from plant-based innovations. Companies like JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, have entered the plant-based market and are seeing exponential growth in alternative protein products.

Capitalism, Sarah believes, will ultimately drive the transition to sustainable food systems. But to accelerate this shift, we need public demand and continued investment in research and innovation.

What You Can Do Today

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Support Plant-Rich Choices: Every meal matters. Start by incorporating more plant-based options into your diet.
Demand Better Policies: Call on companies and governments to prioritize sustainable food systems.
Invest in the Movement: Support organizations like Tilt Collective that are driving systemic change through research, advocacy, and innovation.

Join the Movement

Tilt Collective hosted the webinar, Five Big Ideas for 2025, to spotlight progress in plant-rich food systems and outline actionable steps for the future. Be sure to check out the website for details on upcoming webinars, initiatives and events.

Visit tiltcollective.org to learn more and stay connected.

Episode Highlights

[00:00] Introduction.

[02:00] A severe heart attack of Sarah’s father was the catalyst in food choices.

[06:00] Corporations shape unhealthy food choices.

[10:00] Reshaping food subsidization.

[15:45] Triggering the bliss point to get people hooked on unhealthy foods.

[20:00] How Tilt Collection evolved due to food insecurities.

[24:00] How the Food & Agriculture Organization has major conflicts of interest.

[27:00] Philanthropy is part of the solution.

[33:00] Establishing standards for healthy consumption.

[37:00] Shifting the mindset of all animal consumption, abuse and use.