 People of Faith Find Common Cause in Eating Less Meat Wednesday 10th February 2010 MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, 10 February 2010People of Faith Find Common Cause in Eating Less Meat In an effort to address the environmental degradation and injustices cased by rising meat consumption, multi-faith network the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change has launched a “Meat-Free Day” initiative, encouraging people to avoid meat one day a week. Livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, are a major source of methane, directly contributing to over ten percent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. If broader system impacts are considered, particularly land use changes associated with livestock production, these figures increase to 18 percent worldwide. The population of farmed animals is predicted to double in 50 years. The resulting rise in greenhouse gas emissions would negate reductions from other sectors and make it very difficult to avoid climate disaster. In addition, deforestation, soil erosion, species extinction and other environmental problems would be exacerbated. A doubling of livestock production would also have grave consequences for the world’s poor. Already 40% of the world’s grain is fed to animals, and a billion people are undernourished. A significant reduction in meat consumption in countries like Australia, where per capita meat consumption is several times the global average, is a necessary part of addressing these interlinked problems. If all Australians were to have one less red meat serving a week, it would be the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking an eighth of Australia’s cars off the road. Vegetarianism is practised widely among followers of some of the great world religions, including Hinduism and various schools of Buddhism. Other religions have traditionally promoted regular abstinence from meat, such as Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity. ARRCC believes that all religions can rally to the call to eat less meat, given their teachings that connect environmental protection, global justice in relation to food, the treatment of animals, and health. Indeed, the Meat-Free Day initiative has received support from a diversity of leaders across Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Ikebal Adam Patel, President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, emphasises that “many people across the world do not get even the basics to put together one meagre meal for their families in a day. A weekly meat-free day will demonstrate empathy with the have nots and contribute positively towards reducing greenhouse gases”. Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, who is the chair of the Council of Progressive Rabbis, suggests that reducing meat consumption is within the reach of many. “While not everyone is able to be a vegetarian at this time, each of us can make a commitment to make this planet viable for our future generations. A meat-free day is one simple way to do this, and to enhance life for us and the future." Rev Dr Jonathan Inkpin, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council, emphasises that a meat-free day is “no commentary on the loving lives and often hard-pressed vocations of livestock farmers. Rather, like the Sabbath, it is a remembrance of the sacredness and giftedness of our lives and a sign of solidarity with the groanings of our troubled world.” Notes: See the Meat-Free Day info below, and further information at http://www.arrcc.org.au/. Media contact: Greg O’Donnell, Executive Officer ARRCC, 0403 203 963. All statistics quoted in this info sheet are fully referenced from sources such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the CSIRO. See http://www.arrcc.org.au/ for a full list of references. ENJOY A WEEKLY MEAT-FREE DAY Cut the meat out of your diet one day each week – it’s good for the planet, it’s good for the poor, it’s good for animals, and it’s good for your health. Enjoy a meat-free day – it’s good for the planet · Eating less meat is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment. · Animal farming is responsible for almost a fifth of our greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. · Animal products make up a third of the average Australian’s ecological footprint. · It takes 50,000 – 100,000 litres of water to produce a kilogram of beef. In comparison, it takes 1,650 – 2,200 litres for the same weight of soybeans, and 1,550 litres for the same weight of rice. · If all Australians were to reduce their red meat consumption by one 150 gram serving per week, we would save over 6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in a year. This would be the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking an eighth of Australia’s cars off the road. Enjoy a meat-free day – it’s good for the poor · There is enough food. It’s just not getting to those who need it. Nearly half of the world’s cereals are being used for animal feed. · If people in rich countries like Australia (where per capita meat consumption is ten times higher than in the poorest countries) reduced our meat intake, there would be more food for everyone. Enjoy a meat-free day – it’s good for animals · The RSPCA in Australia has documented widespread cruelty towards domesticated animals such as battery hens and breeding sows, and towards sheep and goats for live transport. · Over 500 million land based animals are slaughtered in Australia every year. · Reducing the amount of meat we eat helps reduce the number of animals that are killed. Enjoy a meat-free day – it’s good for your health · A healthy diet is one that is plentiful in plant-based foods (grains, fruits and vegetables), and moderate in animal products (meat, fish, poultry and dairy). · On the whole, Australians eat more meat than is good for us. A reduction in meat consumption in high income countries like ours would be expected to lead to a decrease in the incidence of heart disease, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and obesity. On your meat-free day... Replace your meat with legumes (e.g. beans, peas, lentils, tofu), nuts, and/or seeds (e.g. sunflower or sesame seeds). Also enjoy some dark leafy greens (e.g. broccoli, spinach or silver beet). When you do eat meat... Enjoy it, but eat it in moderation. Use the money you are saving from reducing your meat consumption to buy good quality produce. Try to choose organic meat where you can. Certified organic meat producers are looking after the land, and must also practise high animal welfare standards. You also avoid eating unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals, and reduce your exposure to infectious disease hazards that may be associated with concentrated animal feeding operations. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that adults eat one to one and a half 65-100g servings of meat, fish, poultry or alternatives each day. Examples of a serving are a small porterhouse steak, a plate of spaghetti Bolognese, or of chicken stir fry. Weblinks For more about the Meat-Free Day including faith resources, see: http://www.arrcc.org.au/ For guidelines on healthy eating, see: http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/ For delicious vegetarian recipes, see: http://www.veg-soc.org/ For a directory of organic animal products, see: http://www.organicfooddirectory.com.au/ The Meat-Free Day is an initiative of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). Download: MFD media release.pdf More Info: http://www.arrcc.org.au Email: Greg O’Donnell, Executive Officer ARRCC, 0403 203 963 Back to News |
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