Hey, it's TED Talks Daily. I'm your host, Elise Hugh. If there's one straightforward individual action we can take to combat climate change, it's changing the way we eat.

Animal agriculture is destroying the rainforests and meat production is an outsized contributor to climate change.

In his talk recorded for the Countdown Summit in 2021, former carnivist, and meat production is an outsized contributor to climate change.

In his talk recorded for the Countdown Summit in 2021, former carnivore turned vegan chef,

Derek Sarno, shows us the way to plant-based eating because it's better for us and a lot better for the planet.

Hi, I'm Derek Sarno. I'm a vegan chef. I specialize in bringing mushrooms and veg to the center plate by unleashing the mighty flavors of plants. I co-founded a plant-based food company called Wicked Kitchen, and I lead plant-based innovation at one of the world's largest grocery retailers. In case you're wondering what plant-based and

vegan means, it's super simple. Vegan and plant-based foods are entirely free from animals and from

their byproducts. Think no animals harmed nor killed, no meat, no fish, no dairy milk or eggs

are used at all. Just amazing plants. Vegetarianism also doesn't contain animals or fish,

but allows dairy and eggs. The byproducts taken from animals. Here are a couple of vegan things

that I've made recently. A steak? No way. Actually, there are no T-bones about this. It's made

of Lionsman mushrooms. It's made of lion's mane mushrooms.

It's a barbecue butter sauce, cast iron seared, one of the most nutritious mushrooms on earth,

and known to be brain boosting.

Prest Greek-inspired Sovloch steak sandwiches with all the fixants?

This one is made with super sexy, delicious, brown oyster mushrooms.

Grilled pepper steak kebabs? Great on the barbecue,

packed with punchy flavors and made with the super versatile and delicious king oyster mushrooms.

Yes, all of these are plant-based, and all of these are done with a variety of mushrooms.

Why is this so important? Meat eating is linked to climate change. Eating animals and animal agriculture is the leading cause of rainforest

deforestation. Meat production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and there's a reason

moms and doctors tell us to eat more veg. That's partly why I'm a

...