30+ Organizations Call on Climate Mayors to Recognize Plant-Based Food Policies!

Berkeley, California Jul 6, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Press Release: 30+ Organizations Call on Climate Mayors to Recognize Plant-Based Food Policies

Cultivate Empathy for All and 30+ other organizations have delivered a joint letter to Climate Mayors, urging the coalition of more than 400 U.S. mayors to advocate for a shift toward plant-based eating in their leading platform on climate change.

In their letter to Climate Mayors, the group, which includes leading environmental and animal protection organizations including Better Food Foundation and Mercy for Animals, emphasize that in the third decade of the 21st century, we are facing an existential threat of climate change on top of public health crises, food insecurity, extreme drought, and biodiversity loss. Our food system stands at the center of these social and environmental issues and accounts for 21-37% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the U.S., livestock enteric fermentation is the single largest source of methane emissions, and both livestock enteric fermentation and manure management account for 94% of the nation's agriculture methane emissions. But food emissions often go unaddressed because cities commonly use sector-based GHG inventories that exclude emissions associated with imported goods.

According to Nilang Gor, founder of Cultivate Empathy for All, "Adopting plant-based food policies could help rich nations meet their climate goals to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C by lowering their food emissions and reducing land use for carbon sequestration, and the Climate Mayors would set a bold example for all municipalities by embracing plant-forward eating." It is estimated that a ~50% plant-based shift in U.S. food consumption can reduce up to 51% of the nation's food emissions. This could also improve public health in our communities, reduce socio-economic health disparities, and improve animal welfare. 

Fourteen C40 cities have, therefore, already committed to achieving a "Planetary Health Diet" for all by 2030. Several U.S. cities have also begun adopting progressive policies to procure and promote low-carbon foods. The 30+ signatories of the letter to Climate Mayors recognize the urgent need, however, to expand these efforts across more communities and are therefore calling on the Climate Mayors to join the movement by making a declaration in support of healthy, sustainable, and compassionate plant-based food policies and programs.

To view the full letter, click here.

Press Inquiry Contact: Nilang Gor, Founder, Cultivate Empathy for All, [email protected]

About Cultivate Empathy for All

Cultivate Empathy for All is a non-profit that advocates for city policies and programs to shift towards healthy, sustainable, and compassionate plant-based foods. Cultivate Empathy for All mobilizes local residents and community organizations to educate their City Councils and promote plant-based food policies.

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http://www.cultivateempathyforall.org/