Green Tuesday Initiative Helps Institutions Reduce Their Food-Related Environmental Footprint!

Saving The Planet One Meal At A Time

Green Tuesday Initiative Helps Institutions Reduce Their Food-Related Environmental Footprint!

It only takes one meal per week to reduce your carbon footprint by at least five times. Imagine doing this in all of the world's workplaces and educational institutions! Consider how much greenhouse gas emissions we can reduce collectively by replacing animal-based foods with plant-based foods once a week.

Having collaborated with around 33 institutions in India, Green Tuesday Initiative is helping institutions reduce their environmental footprint. The initiative urges institutions to replace their meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives at least once a week. So far, various organizations have reduced the serving of 2.2 million pounds of animal products to decrease their food-related carbon footprint.

Green Tuesday Initiative partners in India comprise educational institutions and companies. Some notable names include Tech Mahindra, Carl Zeiss, Hetero drugs, REVA University, Gautham Buddha University, Lovely Professional University, and many more.
The latest Green Tuesday Initiative impact report provides insight into how institutions in India are reducing their environmental footprint with few operational changes. Read it here: Green Tuesday 4-Year Impact Report
Food’s Environmental Impact

According to the BBC’s climate change food calculator, 1-2 servings of chicken contributes to 106 kgs of greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, the same amount of beans contributes to 7kgs, and peas contribute to 1.4 kgs of greenhouse emissions, respectively.

In addition to reducing a company’s environmental footprint, Green Tuesday Initiative aims to combat world hunger and deforestation as well. Cattle raising alone produces 15.3 million tonnes of methane every year. To raise animals, space is needed, and for space, we destroy forest areas. This is a significant threat to our planet. Over the years, deforestation has resulted in less CO2 being absorbed out of the atmosphere.

Animal agriculture uses about 33% of the total available drinking water in the world, while half the population does not even have access to clean and safe drinking water. Animal agriculture is resource intensive and damages our environment. The 2018 UN report says we only have 12 years remaining in which we can actually try to reverse the global climate change catastrophe. By serving/eating plant-based meals one day a week, you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 30%. vegan, Green Tuesday, vegan first, vegan outreach

Food’s Environmental Impact

According to the BBC’s climate change food calculator, 1-2 servings of chicken contributes to 106 kgs of greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, the same amount of beans contributes to 7kgs, and peas contribute to 1.4 kgs of greenhouse emissions, respectively.
In addition to reducing a company’s environmental footprint, Green Tuesday Initiative aims to combat world hunger and deforestation as well. Cattle raising alone produces 15.3 million tonnes of methane every year. To raise animals, space is needed, and for space, we destroy forest areas. This is a significant threat to our planet.

Over the years, deforestation has resulted in less CO2 being absorbed out of the atmosphere.
Animal agriculture uses about 33% of the total available drinking water in the world, while half the population does not even have access to clean and safe drinking water. Animal agriculture is resource intensive and damages our environment.

The 2018 UN report says we only have 12 years remaining in which we can actually try to reverse the global climate change catastrophe. By serving/eating plant-based meals one day a week, you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 30%.

The Green Tuesday Initiative aligns with seven of the UN's sustainable development goals and helps institutions understand the impact of consuming animal products on the environment and health. Richa Mehta, Director of Programs, at Vegan Outreach India, says, "Climate action is the urgent need of the hour, and animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions.

It's inspiring to see institutions in India adopt sustainable food policies to reduce their food-related carbon footprint."

What's in it for humans to switch to plant-based meals?

Fortunately, a diet that is healthy for the planet is healthy for humans as well. Studies show that people who follow a plant-based diet have lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, a significantly reduced rate of type 2 diabetes, and a reduced risk of cancer.

A plant-based diet provides plenty of fiber which is linked to positive health outcomes, for which many meat-eaters fall short.
Speaking about why the initiative is so important and the need of the hour, Soundarya Ganesan, Campaigns Specialist from Vegan Outreach India, says, "choosing to serve climate-friendly food would be the first step in raising awareness about the impact of food on the planet and people's health."

Image Source- Vegan Outreach

Bottom Line

Fighting climate change is not a one-person task. It is a collective effort of millions of people trying to save the planet imperfectly. Serving plant-based food at least once a week is operationally easy with a huge impact. Green Tuesday Initiative aims to work with more educational institutions and companies in India and other countries across Asia.
Calculate your food-related carbon footprint: BBC Calculator
Visit the Green Tuesday Initiative website: greentuesday.org

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