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What would it look like if we all skipped meat for just ONE day?

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February 1, 2010
	Jody England : Head Empowerment Ego

This isn’t a post to argue for being a meat eater or a vegetarian, so everybody just calm down. This is about the impact of consuming less meat. It’s about the possible implications of taking a day off. Maybe just a meal off. Is that so bad? No, it’s a win-win.

According to stats reported by Green Peace and health writer Kathy Freston, if we stopped eating meat for one whole day the U.S. would:

• Save enough water to supply 6 states- Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine – with enough water to last 4 months!
• Save 70 million gallons of gas (which would fuel all the cars in both Canada and Mexico)
• Preserve over 3 million acres of land
• Eliminate 33 tons of antibiotics
• Stop 3 million tons of soil erosion and $70 million in resulting damages

According to Environmental Defense, If every American family skipped just one meal of chicken per week and had a vegetarian meal instead, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as if half a million cars were taken off American roads.

A 2006 United Nations report titled Livestock’s Long Shadow concluded that the meat industry causes almost 40% more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s transportation systems–that’s all the cars, trucks, SUVs, planes and ships in the world combined. The report also concluded that factory farming is one of the biggest contributors to the most serious environmental problems at every level–local and global.

It’s not every day you can make one simple choice that would help save the planet, be good for your health, be good for your wallet and help fight cruelty all at the same time.

While many make an effort to support the environment with reduced car trips, energy-saving light bulbs and recycling, few really know that meat production in the U.S. is one of the major contributors to global warming.

Personal Choices
Some of you know that I recently became a vegetarian myself. There are lots of reasons for it (spiritual, environmental, health, etc.), but I completely understand why people DON’T choose this option.

I always thought vegetarians were “weird” and “out there” so no one is more surprised than me that I have become one. I have no judgments about people who choose to still eat meat.  My husband and children have yet to join the vegetarian bandwagon and I still love them dearly.

However, understanding the process of where our foods come from and the ramifications of those processes is an important part of being a conscious global citizen. If the spiritual and health reasons of a plant-based diet aren’t compelling to you personally, that is totally fine, but at least give consideration to the environmental effects that raising animals for food has on the planet we all share.

A simple way to practice awareness (without having to step too far out of your comfort zone) is to join us for Meat Free Mondays.  All you have to do is skip the meat one day per week. That’s it!  It’s rare for one simple choice to have an impact on so many aspects of your health, your wealth and your environment.

Paul McCartney even wrote a song about this very possibility.

This one simple action will reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet. What will you be having for dinner tonight?

PS: If the kids wonder why, tell them you’re doing it for their future. Have the conversation. It’s their world to inherit. Empower them with the knowledge.

This post is proudly submitted for the Natural Living category of our 12 Weeks of Wellness