To Avert Global Climate Catastrophe, Coalition Urges Copenhagen Conference Delegates to Stress Importance of Dietary Changes

San Rafael, Calif. 8- In Defense of  Animals (IDA) and the Veg Climate Alliance (VCA) today urged Copenhagen climate change conference delegates to recommend shifts to plant-based diets as essential to avert an unprecedented global climate catastrophe. The organizations cite recent scientific reports from the United Nations, World Bank scientists and other leading climate experts concerning the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet..

The livestock sector contributes 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year or, 51 percent of global human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. (World Bank Environmental Advisor for 23 years Robert Goodland and World Bank Environmental Specialist Jeff Anhang, Livestock and Climate Change, World Watch magazine, Nov/Dec 2009). Based on their research, Goodland and Anhang conclude that replacing animal products with soy-based and other alternatives would be the best strategy for reversing climate change. The report states, “This approach would have far more rapid effects on GHG emissions and their atmospheric concentrations—and thus, on the rate the climate is warming—than actions to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy.” They argue that food producers should mount a major campaign to promote the consumption of plant-based foods, including meat analogs.

Livestock production is responsible for more greenhouse gasses than all the world’s transport combined. (Livestock’s Long Shadow, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization).

“Reducing or eliminating the consumption of animal products is one of the most powerful ways an individual can reduce their carbon footprint.” said IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM. IDA and the VCA, a broad coalition of environmental, vegetarian, animal rights, health and other organizations. “We feel that the fate of humanity and all of Creation is at stake,” stated Richard H. Schwartz, VCA director, “and it is essential that the urgency of dietary changes to avoid a climate disaster be part of the message resulting from the Copenhagen climate conference.”

The coalition quoted leading climate scientists and economists who are calling for a reduction in meat consumption:

“The picture is quite grim – if the human race does not do anything, climate change will have serious impacts … Please eat less meat – meat is a very carbon intensive commodity.” – Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the IPCC

“I think cutting back and substituting more fruit and vegetables is a responsible alternative.” – Al Gore, author of An Inconvenient Truth.

“In terms of individual action changing your diet is the best thing you can do.” – Dr. James Hansen, Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

“Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world’s resources. A vegetarian diet is better.” – Lord Stern of Bradford, former World Bank Chief Economist.

Contact: Hope Bohanec, hope@idausa.org, (415) 448-0048 x. 208