What we choose to eat is one of the biggest factors in the personal impact we have on the environment. A recent study, examining the impact of a typical week’s eating, showed that plant-based diets are better for the environment than those based on meat*29. A vegan, organic diet had the smallest environmentalimpact, but the single most damaging foodstuff was beef and all non-vegetarian diets required significantly greater amounts of environmental resources, such as land and water. By feeding grain and vegetables directly to people (rather than livestock) we can increase the amount of food available to everyone.

By going vegetarian you will help to…

Avoid excessive CO2 production
Reduce methane/nitrous oxide production
Save large amounts of water
Avoid further pollution of our streams/rivers/oceans
Reduce destruction of topsoil & tropical rainforest
Reduce destruction of wildlife habitats & endangered species
Reduce the use of antibiotics, growth promoters and chemicals

The environmental arguments are strong, but many vegetarians simply believe that it is wrong to kill when there is no need to. Others love and respect animals and want to minimize their suffering. Some vegetarians are specifically opposed to intensive farming and choose vegetarianism because it sends a strong signal, guarantees you won’t be eating an animal reared in appalling conditions, and avoids the distress experienced by all animals slaughtered for their meat. Whatever their reasons for giving up meat, vegetarians benefit from much more than a clear conscience, with lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

Contact:

0161 925 2000
whygreen@vegsoc.org

Season to Taste is a collection of vegetarian recipes making the most of UK grown produce throughout the year.

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