Where to from here? What are the realistic ways that I can help?

After education and information comes decision-making. Choosing to eat less meat has scientifically been proven to have massive ramifications on the environment, as said by the UN’s top climate scientist at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ‘Eating less meat is a great way of combating global warming’ (BBC News, 2008). A Sydney university study calculated that if society “reduced [their] meat intake from the Australian average of 300gms per day to 150gms, this will save 1.4 tonnes of greenhouse emissions every year – about the same as reducing [the average] annual car travel by 4,700 Kilometres…the energy saving each year would power the average household for nearly a month” (Russel, G 2006, p.1).

Through research we can see that altering this daily behaviour proves to be a great way in minimising our harmful impact on the ecosystem. You do not need to start by cutting meat out completely from your life, remember every little thing counts and every time you choose not to eat meat, you are making a difference in benefiting the environment. Eating meat instead every second night, so it is only a few times a week, is a brilliant way to make a positive impact in combating climate change and global warming. You are a stakeholder when it comes to the environment; you hold the power for change!

Reference list

1. BBC News, 2008, Shun meats, says UN climate chief, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7600005.stm>. 
2. Russel, G. 2006, Think you can be a meat-eating environmentalist? Think again!, Vegetarian/Vegan Society. Queensland