Save the planet, go vegan

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) this year, decision-makers won’t just talk about change. They’ll taste it. COP28 will offer a predominantly vegan menu, reflecting a growing awareness of how meat, eggs and dairy contribute to the climate catastrophe. Let’s hope this mounting understanding will inspire everyone to go vegan—before it’s too late.

A global shift to vegan eating is imperative. The just-released Fifth National Climate Assessment by the U.S. Global Change Research Program found that we’re not on track to meet the UN-approved target of keeping global warming below 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

The assessment also reveals that extreme heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters are becoming more intense and frequent, and these events can result in a catastrophic loss of life and destruction of property.

Eliminating animal agriculture is “our best and most immediate chance to reverse the trajectory of climate change,” according to research published in PLOS Climate. This new model shows that a worldwide shift away from animal agriculture in the next 15 years would have the same effect as a 68 percent reduction of CO2 emissions through the year 2100.

In addition to being eco-friendly, vegan eating is the most ethically responsible choice.

The vegan menu at COP28 serves as a beacon of hope and should inspire everyone to go vegan before the consequences of the climate catastrophe become irreversible. So, may our collective shift toward vegan eating become a catalyst for change. May it be a declaration that echoes around the globe—a promise to nurture the planet, live with compassion and secure a sustainable future for all.