Meatless Monday
Meatless Monday
Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet.
Launched in 2003, Meatless Monday is a non-profit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, working in collaboration with the Center for a Livable Future (CLF) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Our goal is to reduce meat consumption by 15% for our personal health and the health of the planet. For more information, visit meatlessmonday.com.
Meatless Monday offers several environmental benefits. Here are five key reasons why it helps the planet:
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Producing plant-based foods generally requires less energy and results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions than raising animals for meat. By reducing meat consumption, especially from high-emission sources like beef and lamb, individuals can lower their carbon footprint.
- Conservation of Water: Meat production is water-intensive, with large amounts needed for growing feed crops, drinking water for animals, and processing meat. By eating plant-based meals, water consumption is significantly reduced, which helps preserve valuable water resources.
- Less Deforestation: Livestock farming, particularly for cattle, contributes to deforestation as forests are cleared to create grazing land or grow animal feed. By adopting a plant-based diet on Mondays, the demand for meat and the associated deforestation decreases, promoting biodiversity and protecting ecosystems.
- Lower Pollution: Animal farming generates a significant amount of waste, which can lead to soil and water pollution. The shift to plant-based meals reduces the need for animal agriculture, which can help decrease pollution and improve soil and water quality.
- Preservation of Biodiversity: Meat production often involves monocropping and land conversion, threatening wildlife habitats. By consuming plant-based foods, the demand for these practices decreases, which helps protect wildlife and maintain biodiversity.
By incorporating meatless days into our routine, we can make a positive impact on the environment in these ways! Speak with staff from Environmental Sustainability, Keep Norfolk Beautiful, the Office of Resilience, Department of Utilities, and Environmental Stormwater to exchange ideas on ways to preserve our environment and conserve resources.