Danish politicians are battling to outlaw red meat in daycares, kindergartens, and schools in Copenhagen.
The country’s Alternative Party has urged local schools to stop serving beef and lamb in meals, and is attempting to have climate change initiatives enshrined by law.
Speaking to Politiken, municipal councilor Franciska Rosenkilde said: “Red meat has a huge impact on the climate.
“You can choose freely what to eat at home but as a municipality, we have a responsibility to be ambitious in our environmental behavior. That’s why I’m proposing we remove red meat from meals in municipal institutions.”
The Alternative party presented its proposal to the city council last week, stating that it hoped to remove beef and lamb from menus of government institutions.
Meat and Dairy Industry Impact
Red meat is known to be a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. A study released by Fairr, a Farm Animal Financial network, showed that the meat sector contributed about 13 percent to 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation and emissions linked to raising animals.
The recent Amazon fires were thought to be deliberately started by cattle ranchers in a bid to clear land for animal husbandry.
Elsewhere, a report by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) pointed out that the dairy industry was linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers
Global Climate Change Initiatives
Several schools, educational institutions, and countries have initiated programs to reduce meat consumption.
The University of Cambridge reduced 33 percent of carbon emissions per kilogram of food purchased with its meat free strategy implemented in 2016.
“Sustainability is extremely important to our students and staff and we wanted to ensure that we were not only responding to their needs but pushing what was considered possible in a catering environment,” said Nick White, Head of the University Catering Service.
And Iceland has announced its aim to be carbon neutral by 2040, targeting government institutions. Speaking to RÚV TV, City councilor Líf Magneudóttir, said: “For me, this is about that we live in a changing world and we need to change our habits, our food habits, and how we treat the environment and the earth, and for me, it is a climate matter.
“If we want to be carbon neutral by 2040 then we have to look at all branches of the City, including canteens, and we need to calculate their carbon footprints and reduce the carbon footprint of all meals.”
What else can governments do to reduce their environmental impact? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Katy Perry tells 109 million followers she and her dog are ‘ready to be 100% vegan’
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 18th January 2021
Katy Perry has announced she is planning to go vegan this year along with her dog Nugget, who has been slowly changing her diet with her. Katy Perry is turning over a new leaf this 2021. The pop superstar recently announced that she is nearly ready to become a full-time vegan. She also added that …
Bristol crowned most vegan-friendly city in the UK
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 13th January 2021
The city ranked just above London, Edinburgh, and Belfast as one of the top cities for vegans. Bristol has earned the top spot of being the most vegan-friendly city in the UK, according to new research. With over 1 million Brits now taking up a plant-based lifestyle – with many inspired by Veganuary- the study …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …