Celebrate Earth Day at the supermarket

With the 50th observance of Earth Day on April 22, each of us can contribute by reducing our driving, use of electrical energy and consumption of animals.

Yes, that. Last fall, Oxford University’s prestigious Food Climate Research Network and Germany’s Heinrich Bolle Foundation concluded that solving the global-warming catastrophe requires a massive shift to a plant-based diet. A 2010 United Nations report blamed animal agriculture for 70 per cent of global freshwater use, 38 per cent of land use and 19 per cent of greenhousegas emissions.

Carbon dioxide is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and by operating farm machinery to grow animal feed. The more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools, respectively.

Moreover, meat and dairy production dumps more animal waste, crop debris, fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants into our waterways than all other human activities combined. It is the driving force behind wildlife-habitat destruction.

In an environmentally sustainable world, meat and dairy products in our diet must be replaced by vegetables, fruits and grains, just as fossil fuels are replaced by wind, solar and other pollution-free energy sources.

Let’s celebrate the 50th observance of Earth Day at our supermarket.

Victor Tarrek Victoria