1. The animal agriculture sector is a key contributor to climate change, water pollution and water use. Cutting down on meat, egg, and dairy consumption can mitigate our environmental impact. Green Monday also addresses some of the world’s most serious environmental problems.
By switching to plant-based foods on Green Monday you’ll actually be reducing your carbon footprint. That’s because:
• plant-based foods tend to use less water
• require less land for production
• emit fewer greenhouse gases than the production of animal products
• The animal agriculture sector makes up 29% of global agriculture water requirements
• An average of 4,323 litres of water is required to produce 1kg of chicken, whereas less than half of that is needed to produce 1kg of cereals
By 2023, it is projected that 33% of the world’s population will live in areas of absolute water scarcity, including South Africa.
2. Adopting Green Monday also helps animals. More than 1 billion land animals were raised for food in South Africa in 2013 alone. More than 95% of egg-laying hens and more than 50 percent of pregnant sows spend nearly their entire lives in cages or crates, where they are unable to exercise, fully extend their limbs, or engage in many other important natural behaviours.
Image supplied by Green Monday SA
3. Plant-based foods are delicious and easy to prepare.
4. Eating plant-based can be more cost effective than meat-centric meals.
5. Nutrition experts around the world advocate eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to improve overall health and prevent disease. Worldwide, an increasing number of people suffer from obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Many of these chronic diseases can be prevented, treated, and in some cases reversed with a plant-based diet. Experts say that three percent of early deaths could be prevented each year if people ate under 20 grams of processed meat a day.
Image supplied byGreen Monday SA
Eat green and take the Green Monday pledge today www.greenmonday.co.za! Replace meat, eggs and milk with plant-based meals on Mondays. Like Green Monday SA on Facebook and follow @GreenMondaySA on Twitter #GreenMondaySA.