Why? Avoiding meat is the single biggest and immediate way to reduce our environmental impact.
SHOCK FACT
Methane from cows plus the accompanying deforestation, creates emissions equivalent to all the world’s cars, trucks and airplanes combined.
How so?
We’ve heard about cows producing enormous amounts of methane (that’s mainly burps not farts). Methane is about 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2.
Burning forests to clear the land to feed them releases huge emissions. Plus, forests act as the earth’s lungs, sucking up CO2, which they can’t do if they are no longer there. Global warming compounded. Without mass livestock, farmland could reduce by 75% and still feed the world.
Last and most definitely not least (it could be argued, this should be first), plant and animal habitats and ecosystems are destroyed in the process, and as a result suffer mass extinctions.
In short, industrial meat production to provide cheap, unthinking meat, is a climate and ethical disaster. We cannot continue if we are to avoid a total breakdown.
Ok got it. So how do I take action?
What we didn’t say above, is that while beef has out-and-out the highest impact, lamb, farmed crustaceans and pork are next, in that order. Fish and chicken are relatively lower down. Though strictly speaking we’re talking about meat here, cheese is somewhere in the middle.
For the purpose of this week’s action - gold would be none of those. That’s breakfast, lunch and dinner by the way!
So shall we go for an entirely Meatless Monday (or any day you choose) from now on? If you do that already, add another day. If you’re part of the vgang, we salute you. Let’s all give the earth a breather!
But will it cost me more money?
Unlikely. In general, meat is significantly more expensive than veg.
We found…
Aimee: I was a committed carnivore and loved a good steak, but it was watching Cowspiracy that turned it for me, after that it was easy. My favourite vegan chefs are the Bosh Boys - check them out!
Sonia: For me, it’s always been about the animals, having been a vegetarian forever, apart from a flirtation with fish. I’m not at all against people eating meat but feel strongly about animals being treated well. Mass farming has got to go - bring freedom, grazing and love back.
“Who needs beef, when we’ve got beef tomatoes?”
It’s serious. So let’s make some serious noise.
Please like, share, forward, comment, tweet. It’s on all of us.