Adopt a Vegetarian Diet
Join
the mung bean nation! Improve your health, and hit the jackpot in terms of reducing your
ecological impact.
On a per capita basis, Australia is one of the largest meat consumers in the world; we consume approximately 118 kg of meat per annum per capita (1998 ABS).
Meat products contribute almost half of our entire ecological footprint (or impact on the environment).
There are three compelling reasons to stop
eating meat
to help us value life - the cruel treatment of animals for food production (eg veal calves, battery chickens) and our doublethink disassociation of meat from the killing of a living, feeling creature, all contribute to increasing our acceptance of suffering in both animals and people. Respect for life and living things in general needs to be nurtured for us to be more compassionate toward other living creatures
to improve our health – An American Dietetic Association report of 2003 found that vegetarians have 'lower body mass indices than non-vegetarians, as well as lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer.'
to help the environment - the meat production for the average Australian impacts the environment in 3 main ways (per annum)
- Green house gas emissions of over 5,000 kg CO2 (equivalent to an additional car’s average emissions p.a.)
- Water usage of over 4,000,000 litres (equivalent to 30+ times average individuals household water use)
- Land disturbance of more than 10 hectares
Do it now!
1. Learn about vegetarian diet, cooking and products - Making the shift from carnivore to herbivore is a challenge. However, for those keen enough to try there are local groups and sites eager to assist your change with advice and support.
Vegetarian Network Victoria (Victoria)
Great Vegetarian recipe sites
2. Help protect animals form cruelty & death! – Given that the health and nutritional benefits of a vegetarian diet are the same (if not better) that those associated with a meat diet, we are causing untold animal suffering and death purely to satisfy our taste!
World Society for the protection of animals (Aust & NZ chapter)
Choose Cruelty Free (National)
Animal Liberation Inc. (South Australia)
3. Understand the impact of meat production on the environment – Contemplate the environmental impact of the meat you consume
Green house gas emissions equivalent to an additional 4 car’s average emissions p.a.)
Water usage equivalent to 30+ times average individuals household water use
Land disturbance of more than 10 hectares
Why this action is important
Developing more compassion for living creatures, improving our health and eliminating almost half of the average Australians ecological footprint in one action make this the big one.