Sustainable Eating

[starbright]

As many of you know, I'm an industrial design student at Emily Carr. I'm finishing up a project where I'm helping people reduce their carbon footprint. I’m focused on livestock consumption as the industry is a primary contributor to greenhouse gases.

The livestock sector is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions measured in CO2 equivalent. That ranks higher than transport! There are many gases being emitted with much greater potential to harm the atmosphere such as methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia.

Meat production is also contributing to freshwater shortages. Livestock accounts for over 8 percent of human water use, primarily for irrigation of feedcrops. Water pollution from the animal wastes includes antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and pesticides for feedcrops and sediments from eroded pastures. Compaction of soil and deforestation also disrupt natural water cycles.

Unfortunately, global demand for livestock products is anticipated to more than double by 2050. The environmental impact per unit of livestock production must be cut by half just to avoid increasing the level of damage beyond its present level.

I’ve taken action to reduce my livestock consumption by 85 percent by limiting my portions of chicken, pork or beef to a maximum of one per week. In place I’m choosing vegetarian or sustainable seafood alternatives. It’s turned out to be much easier than I anticipated and it really does make a difference on the environmental impact of my diet.

Is this kind of action is something that you would be willing to do? Not only does it potentially increase your health and the treatment of animals, but it would definitely decrease your carbon impact.

If yes, please copy and past the following text into a reply with your name in the appropriate place.

I, NAME, pledge to reduce my consumption of chicken, pork and beef by approximately 85%. I will choose sustainable seafood or vegetarian alternatives in place of these livestock products for the benefit of the planet.

If you are already a vegetarian, I highly commend you for your actions. I have much admiration and am thankful for vegetarians. Please pledge to continue as a vegetarian by copying and pasting the following text into a reply, replacing your name in the appropriate space:

I, NAME, pledge to continue as a vegetarian for the benefit of the planet.

If you would like me to send you some vegetarian recipes, please include your email or PM it to me. I will not use it for anything else.

If ever you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help you with this or any other environmental issues in any way I can. A very good resource for determining which seafoods are sustainable is seachoice.org.

Thanks very much for your attention and huge thanks in advance for anyone willing to make the pledge!

<3
nicole

[Grapes]

I've been picking 1 day a week to be vegetarian for while now.. although actually I've been slack of late. Don't eat beef or pork that often, but I'd sure miss poultry.

This seems like an appropriate addition to the thread..

You just wonder if people out there are getting the message..

[tiedye]

I rarely eat beef or pork as well. I'm not about to give up what little meat I actually eat, but I'd bet my impact on the environment is minimal compared to the Average Joe anyways. I did the vegetarian thing for two years and well... I was sick of being constantly hungry.

[hardstylin]

I hunt.

[esoter1c]

I'm a pescatarian 85% of the time.

The other 15% I'm @ Subway eating a steak n cheese with bacon.

Steak n cheese n bacon...

[zarlon]

now that i think about it, i don't eat meat very often anyways - maybe once a week (if that). i prefer to go for veggie / fruit / grain (carb, mmm) combos that can be quickly prepared ON THE CHEAP.

i can't pledge, but i think i couldnt be called a glutton in regards to meatstuffs (no jokes lol)

[cubed]

I had a giant vera's burger with cheese and bacon on it for dinner tonight.

But what else are you supposed to eat after you've been exercising all night?

[tiedye]

Someone should take me out to eat at Vera's tomorrow. It's been years.

[cubed]

I just purchased an obscenely large tub of ice cream too.


BIZZARO I'M HELPING!!!

[Revolver]

ive noticed that,

when im off the meat i become really passive and docile and hippy like,

when im on the meat(no homo) i become really agressive and carnal and manly.

i find that pretty interesting. one makes me better at knockin boots,and one makes me better at playing hacky sack.

that being said i tried mcdonalds KILLER new southwest chicken sandwich on a ciabatta bun with a salad on the side......its actually really good. :)

[Ms.Tarantula]

I, Leah, pledge to continue as a vegetarian for the benefit of the planet.

I do eat poultry occasionally, but I find that eating meat often just doesn't make my body 'feel good'.

[tiedye]

That sandwich fails.

It's barely any different from a McChicken.

[Carrie]

I made breakfast for dinner..

bacon and eggs.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by tiedye

That sandwich fails.

It's barely any different from a McChicken.

k try it.

then come back and try that again.

its not even close to a mcchicken.

mcchickens are pretty disgusting.

the southwest is amazing and wonderful and a godsend for godfearing meat eaters everywhere

[tiedye]

I ate one two days ago.

I wasn't impressed.

The sauce wasn't very flavourful.

I didn't even understand why it constituted being called a 'southwest' sandwich.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by tiedye

I ate one two days ago.

I wasn't impressed.

The sauce wasn't very flavourful.

I didn't even understand why it constituted being called a 'southwest' sandwich.

kay if your bowling on wednesday were gonna go get a couple...

i think you must of got a bad batch.

[tiedye]

I might walk to the one around the corner shortly and try this again. I keep eating healthy food at home and I can't seem to satisfy my hunger.

[crackdragon]

Sorry I like meat way too much... and with spring and the fast approaching summer, the bbq will be working over time

[esoter1c]

Originally Posted by Carrie

I made breakfast for dinner..

Me 2, 'cept I had special K. ;)

[tiedye]

They sent me the wrong order and suddenly couldn't speak English. Why does that tactic never work when I use it?

Still not on the SW Chicken bandwagon.

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by crackdragon

Sorry I like meat way too much... and with spring and the fast approaching summer, the bbq will be working over time

Do we even have a patio of any sort? And why am I asking you on FNK?

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by Ms.Tarantula

I, Leah, pledge to continue as a vegetarian

Originally Posted by Ms.Tarantula

I do eat poultry occasionally

:| Does not compute.

[Pussy*Kat]

I, Caitlyn, pledge to reduce my consumption of chicken, pork and beef by approximately 85%. I will choose sustainable seafood or vegetarian alternatives in place of these livestock products for the benefit of the planet.

Like Nicole I only eat meat once a week (if that) and its always chicken.


<3 Good work Nicole, its awesome what you're doing :)

Originally Posted by Ms.Tarantula

I, Leah, pledge to continue as a vegetarian for the benefit of the planet.

I do eat poultry occasionally, but I find that eating meat often just doesn't make my body 'feel good'.

hi guys, i am a vegetarian 'cept for when i eat meat.

[miss.myra]

Originally Posted by cubed

I had a giant vera's burger with cheese and bacon on it for dinner tonight.

But what else are you supposed to eat after you've been exercising all night?

Yeah man, I love coming home from yoga and eating a big old pile of meat. I dunno, after I have a real good workout, all my body wants is lots and lots and loooots of carbs. haha.

I've been vegetarian for a real long time and its mostly because I don't like meat or seafood, not the flavor, or the texture, etc. but the fact that it benefits the planet is a huge bonus.

can't wait for the local farmer's markets to open so i can eat more local produce for the summer! mmm..blueberries <3