Today I want to talk to you about an even more beneficial detox for you and the planet earth. What if we go meatless today?
According to a report prepared by the World Bank in December 2008, Latin America and the Caribbean regions represent about: 8.5% of the worlds population and GDP; 6% of energy sector emission; and 12% of global emissions – this figure takes into account all the greenhouse gases, the deforestation and the change in use of soil.
These percentages might appear minor compared to other regions or countries; however as a whole we Latin America is experiencing the direct effect of global warming. The temperatures in the region rose about 1ºC in the 20th Century, while the rise of the sea level increased about two to three millimeters a year from the 1980’s.
Also extreme weather patters are observed such as rain patterns in some areas in the South of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay which register more rain, while in others regions such as in the south of Chile, the Southwest of Argentina and the south of Peru rainfall has diminished. Unfortunately, extreme climatic phenomena are more common in resulting in a major number of periods of intense rains and consecutive dry days.
Additionally, Latin America is home to one of the most rich and biological diverse environment on the planet. It has world biggest forests area. The Amazon is home to some of the most dense and unique diversity of flora and fauna in the world. The Amazon as well as many tropical areas of Latin America are experiencing unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Casing the destruction of there infrastructure, creating problems of health and economic deprivation, among others.
Due to the impact that meat is having on the environment, not only is our nation in peril but our precious plant is also experiencing the effects of animal agriculture too. Thus it is critical that we reduce our consumption of this carbon intensive product as an effective solution to the climate change crisis. But just as important we must reduce the more potent and shorter lived gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
This petition calls for the governments of Latin America to take an immediate action declaring that every Monday will be a “Meat Free Monday” as well as promote the many health and environmental benefits of the pure vegetarian (vegan) lifestyle to the general public.
Ending world hunger
If you want to stop 1 billion people from going hungry each day; If you want to stop the needless deaths taking place every 5 seconds due to starvation then a vegan lifestyle is the solution to solve these dyer diet driven situations due to the inefficient use of resources directed towards animal agriculture. Grain currently fed to livestock is enough to feed ２ billion people. According to a recent report by Compassion in World Farming, “crops that could be used to feed the hungry are instead being used to fatten animals raised for food.” It takes up to 16 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of edible animal flesh.
We call on everyone’s support in helping to urge the governments of Latin America and its citizens to adopt and promote a “Meatless Monday”.