Scientists call on mayors to help tackle climate emergency

Sixty-five scientists from 11 different countries called on mayors across the globe to reduce meat in their public canteens, in order to tackle the climate emergency, the environmental group Greenpeace said.

Among them is Filipino scientist, Dr. Vincent Hilomen of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, who has been studying the impact of climate change on fish and fisheries. Vulnerable sectors in Philippine cities and municipalities are among the first to feel the impacts of the climate emergency, including farming and fishing communities, Hilomen said.

“Industrial meat production and consumption is a double whammy for our small farmers and fisherfolk. Aside from their source of livelihood being exploited, the carbon emissions from the livestock industry is among the greatest contributors to fueling the impacts of the climate crisis, making droughts and storms harsher. This is a welcome call from scientists. The potential efforts from cities and municipalities will be a boon to those who produce the country’s food,” said Virginia Benosa-Llorin, campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines.

Pete Smith, professor at the University of Aberdeen and Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has spearheaded the scientists’ joint call to action that was published today. Among the many prominent voices gathered is also Canadian scientist and broadcaster, David Suzuki. Together, they are calling for the reduced consumption of livestock products to greatly lower the environmental impacts of food production and benefit human health: “To create a future that is healthy for both citizens and the planet, we call on mayors today to reduce meat in the meals served in our canteens and to increase the share of plant-based foods.”

Currently, livestock emissions, including impacts from deforestation for feed production, already account for 14.5% of direct global greenhouse gas emissions, as much as all cars, trains, ships and airplanes combined. If no sufficient steps are taken, this could grow even further.

“Cities can play a crucial role in helping citizens to reduce their consumption of livestock products, and to enable the changes necessary to meet ambitious climate change targets,” Smith said.