Legarda on Mitigating Climate Change: Go Meatless Once in a While

On the occasion of World Meat-Free Day today (June 13), Senator Loren Legarda said that cutting down on meat consumption is one way to start a low-carbon lifestyle and help mitigate climate change.

“Part of climate change mitigation is the promotion of a low carbon lifestyle. Since meat production and consumption produce more greenhouse gases, eating lower on the food pyramid is advised, which means less meat and more of whole grains, fruits and vegetables,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

Studies by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 14.5% of man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the global livestock.[1] Cattles produce more GHG, particularly methane, than pigs and chickens.

Legarda added that food that comes from distant places utilizes more energy for transportation and preservation, which means greater carbon emission.

“Low carbon living means patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season food. I plant vegetables in my garden so I am able to eat them fresh. We should encourage families to plant vegetables in their backyards or community vacant lots, or to cultivate pinakbet gardens. This way, we do not only provide food on the table, but also address the needs of growing numbers of malnourished children,” she said.

“It could be a challenge to shift to a low carbon diet, but it can be done gradually. We can start by going meatless one day in a month, then every week, and so on,” Legarda concluded.***

[1] http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode/