Britain’s Environment Agency: Go Vegetarian to Stop Climate Change

[jpak]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/20/1985/

I’m tempted to move to Britain, and not just because I saw an early screening of Michael Moore’s amazing new movie, Sicko (go see it; tell all your friends). What got me is that an official with the UK’s Environment Agency has acknowledged that humans can significantly help stop global warming by adopting a vegetarian diet.

Of course, the science could not be more clear. When U.N. scientists looked at all the evidence, they declared in a 408-page report titled Livestock’s Long Shadow that raising animals for food is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all vehicles in the world combined. And scientists at the University of Chicago showed that a typical American meat-eater is responsible for nearly 1.5 tons more carbon dioxide a year than a vegan.

But for someone in government to admit this is something special, since even Al Gore refuses to talk about it (which makes me think that perhaps he is planning to run). What happened is that someone posted a comment on the Environment Agency’s Web site asking, “Adopting a vegan diet reduces one person’s impact on the environment even more than giving up their car or forgoing several plane trips a year! Why aren’t you promoting this message as part of your campaign?”

In response, an Environment Agency official wrote that the “potential benefit of a vegan diet in terms of climate impact could be very significant” and offered assurances that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working on a set of “key environmental behaviour changes” to mitigate climate change—including promoting vegetarianism.

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[glowing]

1. I think something that is more important is returning our farms to

sustainable practices. The green revolution is anything but green (farming in its current state is full of ecological problems as well.

And I don't think a total vegan diet is necessary. I think cutting down on meat is the best idea.

My diet mainly consists of veggies, dairy, and grains (organic). I do eat eggs (free range), chicken (free range), fish (not farmed), and occassionally beef,lamb, or pork. But my portions of meat are small, and I don't eat them every day. I ususally eat meat once or twice a week and eggs maybe 2-3 a week. Protein in a diet is important, but not in the portions that are prepared by today's standards.

My hats off to the vegans. I became so sick when I switched to a vegan diet. I have to have a little bit of meat or I become so worn down, dizzy, and having to take a lot of supplements to keep certain levels intact. My little step-son, though, doesn't care for meat at all. He would rather eat a salad over any kind of meat. So, when I cook or prepare food for us, I make mainly vegetarian dishes. And when his dad isn't working the night shift, I'll prepare a side of some kind of meat.

[bananas]

2. There is always McDonalds Filet-O'-Fish

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish comes from two fisheries actually certified as sustainable
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=100840&mesg_id=100876

:)

[The2ndWheel]

3. The best thing being that

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6676809.stm

if you don't switch to vegetarian in Britain, their anti-social drones will make sure you do. Unless all the other cameras don't find you first.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. Nukes can't save us, but a fad diet can

:shrug:

--p!