Here in the ACT the Vegetarian Society is asking you to 'Act Veg'.
Why?
The Environment
The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation's 2006 report Livestock's Long Shadow states that the livestock sector (animals bred for human food) is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions measured in CO2 equivalent.
Meat and Dairy animals produce more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transport combined.
Your Health
Meat, meat products and dairy foods make up the greatest percentage of saturated fat in the average "western" diet, contributing significantly to the huge increases in obesity, adult onset diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.
Vegetarians are healthier than people who eat meat.
Avoids Cruelty To Animals
More than 50 billion animals are systematically killed in slaughterhouses around the world each year (over seven times the human population!).
Most animals eaten in Australia today are intensively raised in dark, sunless sheds where they are fed a diet of processed foods.
It's Fairer
Meat is expensive to produce, both economically and agriculturally. With so many starving people in the world today it is a criminal waste of food to produce it.
How?
Does the idea of suddenly, completely removing meat and other animal products from your diet frighten or concern you? If so, we recommend that you do it step-wise - simply ACT Veg a little at a time.
Try a Meatless Monday or just use a soy-milk or rice- or oat-milk on your breakfast cereal.
Try some vegetarian substitutes for sausages, burgers, nuggets and schnitzels. You can even get substitutes for processed 'meat' including bacon. Your supermarket will have them in the chilled health food section or in the freezer.
Use textured vegetable protein (TVP) in lieu of minced meat in a spaghetti bolognaise or shepherd's pie etc . You can get it dry (to soak in water before use) or in cans of Sanitarium 'Casserole Mince'.
Buy some soy ice-cream instead of dairy. You'll find it in your supermarket and some more gourmet varieties in speciality shops.
Try tofu. There are many varieties and flavours available and you can use it in lieu of chopped meat in casseroles, salads etc.More>