Fighting climate change, one plate at a time
MONDAYS WITHOUT MEAT could mean a lot for your health and the health of the planet, an advocacy group said.
Meatless Monday-Philippines, a non-government organization also called “Luntiang Lunes,” shared during the 2nd World Meatless Lunch (WML) on Nov. 28 that by simply starting off the week without eating anything with meat products or by-products, Filipinos could maintain their well-being and, at the same time, help fight climate change.
“Our move is to find a way to link climate change with lifestyle, and this is through food. A simple move to reduce intake of meat and replace it with vegetables — which are abundant in our country — can go a lot in terms of health and for the planet in terms of reducing greenhouse gases,” neuroscientist Dr. Custer C. Deocaris, founder of Meatless Monday-Philippines, said during the program.
The event, with the theme “Fight Climate Change, One Plate at a Time,” was held at the Social Hall of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
Meatless Monday-Philippines was established in October 2012, patterned after “national meatless Mondays,” a 2003 campaign introduced in the United States by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for a Livable Future. Skipping meat once a week, the Center said, meant a 15% reduction in overall meat intake and 30-40% less risk in cardiovascular illness. The health program eventually evolved into a bigger campaign when the United Nations found out that Meatless Monday could also have a positive effect on the environment.
Mr. Deocaris explained that the livestock industry greatly contributes to the climate change since about 51% of greenhouse emissions come from livestock, while 45% of arable land is used for the same industry.
“A kilo of beef is equals to 15,000 liters of water in consumption. There are millions and millions of people consuming beef, not realizing they will run out of water. Everything is stitched,” he said, adding that the Earth is already at its tipping point.
According to Mr. Deocaris, half of Philippine pork supply is imported because the local market cannot keep up with the country’s love for meat. Enhancing the agricultural activity and increasing the consumption of vegetables, Mr. Deocaris said, would help mitigate the supply problem.
He also pointed out that the only reason vegetarianism is expensive is because there are no economies of scale. Once there is a demand for greens, he continued, it should be easier to embrace a plant-based diet.
He clarified that Meatless Monday isn’t about forcing people to become vegans or vegetarians. Rather, it is about getting people to reduce meat intake at least once a week — even if it is not on a Monday.
The group struggled in its early days, failing to garner support from other institutions. Fortunately, the DENR and other private organizations have since shown interest. DENR Secretary Gina Lopez wants the campaign to go nationwide with the help of schools, organizations, and businesses.
“It’s a collective effort that cannot be done by just one person or one policy,” Mr. Deocaris said. It’s not just about removing meat from one’s diet; it goes a long way. But we should start with baby steps.” — CAMA
For more information about Meatless Monday-Philippines, visit facebook.com/MeatlessMondayPhilippines.
