World’s Leading Environmental Experts Agree: Best Way to Go Green is to Eat Less Meat

Just in Time for Earth Day, Farm Sanctuary Launches Groundbreaking Campaign to Introduce Green Foods Resolutions in Cities and Towns Nationwide

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – April 14, 2010 – It is one of the most underreported stories of the decade, yet the science could not be more conclusive: if we really— really — want to get serious about tackling global climate change, we need to start looking at what’s on our plates. The United Nations and a host of leading environmental experts, including Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, 2008 Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have all cited animal agriculture as being among the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions (ahead of the entire transportation sector), and now Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, has launched a groundbreaking campaign to address the problem head-on by campaigning to get Green Foods Resolutions passed in cities and towns all across America.  

Think Globally, Act Locally

Through Farm Sanctuary’s Green Foods Campaign, citizens are reaching out to their local city governments to introduce resolutions that address the impact food choices have on the numerous health and environmental problems plaguing the nation. A Green Foods Resolution is a city or town council resolution designed to counteract the health threats, animal cruelty and massive environmental damage caused by animal agriculture by calling on citizens to eat lower on the food chain. This forward-thinking legislation enables cities to take responsibility for their carbon “foodprint” by encouraging greater access to nutritious plant-based foods, supporting local farmers markets and community gardens, and educating citizens about the health and environmental benefits of consuming more plant-based foods.

“Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, carpooling, recycling— these are all great ways we can lessen our carbon footprint, but when compared with the difference you can make simply by eliminating or reducing meat and animal products from your diet, other aspects of green living pale by comparison,” said Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. “From natural resource depletion, to global climate change, to air and water pollution, industrial animal agriculture—the source of 99% of all meat and animal products consumed in this country— is among the worst offenders we must face in saving our planet from peril. With the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day right around the corner, we are excited by the growing movement to address this ultimate ‘inconvenient truth.’”

The Greening of America

In October 2009, the small town of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, became the first community in the country to pass a Green Foods Resolution. Activist David Cook, whose newspaper column inspired his town council to consider the resolution, sees its passage as the planting of a seed, not just for Signal Mountain but also for the rest of the country. “Something will really grow out of this,” said Cook. “I think it is part of many things that are moving in the right direction, including community-supported agriculture, organic farming, a greater commitment to vegetarianism, more car-pooling, more questioning. It’s all tied together.”

Alexandria, Virginia became the second community to pass a Green Foods Resolution in March 2010. Additional resolutions are now pending in New York City, where Farm Sanctuary is a key member of the Foodprint Alliance and in several other municipalities across the nation.

Signal Mountain and Alexandria aren’t the only cities rethinking their dietary choices. Just last week, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to establish “Meat Free Mondays” and encourage restaurants, grocery stores and schools to offer more plant-based fare. In addition, Cincinnati recognized the connection between plant-based eating and climate change back in 2008, when they encouraged residents to reduce meat consumption with the Green Cincinnati Plan.

To learn how to introduce a Green Foods Resolution in your community, visit farmsanctuary.org/greenfoods/.  

To speak with Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur or receive sample Green Food Resolution language, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

As a vegan I can say it is EXTREMELY easy to stop eating animals!  Do it!  Go Vegan! Go Green!