Earthsave Canada is proud to have joined the Coalition for a Sustainable Food Transition, a group of Canadian environmental and animal welfare organizations promoting a dietary transition among Canadians towards more plant-based foods.
In anticipation of the upcoming 2021 federal election, the Coalition launched a website, www.sustainablefoodtransition.ca, documenting the major political parties’ positions on food policy from a recent survey conducted by World Animal Protection.
When asked if their party would support initiatives to increase the consumption of plant-based foods in Canada, the Liberals, the NDP and the Greens responded favourably, while the Conservatives and the Bloc did not answer the question directly. When asked if the parties would support initiatives to reduce animal protein consumption, only the Greens responded favourably.
The latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report tells us that we are facing an emergency situation in the fight against climate change. “Climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying,” warns their August 9th press release. “It’s a code red for humanity,” the UN warns in another press release. The IPCC report emphasizes that reducing methane emissions, to which animal farming is likely the biggest contributor, would be the most effective means to slow climate change in the next few decades.
Fortunately, more and more Canadians are making the connection between animal consumption and climate change, and making the necessary changes to their diet. According to a recent study, more than 6 million Canadians have already reduced or eliminated their meat consumption in the last few years.
If we are to succeed in preventing catastrophic warming, it will be critical for our incoming government to align its climate change policies with the scientific evidence, which tells us that shifting our diets towards more plant-based foods is one of the most effective actions we can take.
Be sure to check the Coalition’s website, spread the word, and vote according to your principles on September 20.
Following the election, the Coalition will continue to engage in public policy dialogue, calling on governments, other environmental organizations and the public to support and implement the necessary shift towards more plant-based foods.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
