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the problem:
Although American University has implemented new policies and intitiatives to address environmental concerns, the university does not address environmental problems that result from meat consumption. Because the university fails to promote reducing faculty and students' intake of meat, many students and faculty members are contributing to the depletion of natural resources like land and water. Consequently, students are unaware of the impact that a rich-meat diet has on the environment.
vital stats:
people impacted:
60
people involved:
7
why it's important:
Meat consumption is a prevalent problem that affects everyone across the globe. Because of the continually increasing adaption of the “western diet,” the global increase in meat consumption has led to land degredation, the depletion of natural resources, and pollution. As the United States faces increasing scarcity of natural resources such as land and water, it is expected that this will have hazardous affects on the economy and the overall quality of life. If people do not change their meat-rich diet, environmental pressures will increase and the problems that result from meat consumption will become exacerbated. Derry Allen, Counsellor of Environmental Strategy at the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), believes that it is important to address pollution from large animal corporations and chicken farms, but many of the problems stem from the American diet. Meat is a significant proportion in the American diet. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that meat is 15 percent of daily energy intake, 40 percent of daily protein intake, and 20 percent of daily fat intake (Segelken). “Stopping negative environmental consequences from animal corporations is important, but much of the problem lies in the amount of animal products that humans intake these days,” Derry suggests.
the plan of action:
A sustainable and effective program that will address many of the negative environmental impacts that result from high meat consumption is Meatless Monday. Meatless Monday is a program that encourages students to reduce their consumption of meat and become a part of the solution in curbing the depletion of our natural resources and reducing pollution. The mission of this sustainable project includes reducing the amount of meat served at the university's cafeteria every Monday and challenging students to take the Meatless Monday Pledge to eliminate meat from their diets every Monday. In addition, Meatless Mondays will increase overall awareness of environmental impacts like the high use of energy and resources it takes to raise livestock. By handing out brochures, information and encouraging students to take the Meatless Monday Pledge, students will become more aware of the issues and reduce their intake of meat. Every other Monday, our presence at the university's cafeteria, will spur curiousity and have students and faculty members asking questions like: What is Meatless Monday? Why should I reduce my consumption of meat? How does eating meat affect the environment? The Meatless Monday Team will have a table every other Monday, informing students of the environmental impact of a meat-rich diet. Another way in which we will inform students is by bringing professors in the environmental field to educate students during Meatless Monday in the school cafeteria. In addition to encouraging students to eat meatless on Mondays, another goal is to reduce the amount of meat that is served at the university's cafeteria by working with the manager. By reducing the amount of meat served on Mondays and by encouraging students to take the Meatless Monday Pledge, American University can become part of the movement to reduce negative environmental consequences that come as a result of high meat intake.
Meatless Monday will not only reduce meat consumption at American University, but it will engage students in becoming part of the movement to solve environmental problems. Other schools have adopted Meatless Monday and have become part of the solution in alleviating environmental problems. For example, John Hopkins University has implemented a very successful Meatless Monday program by involving a large number of college students, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts (“Meatless Monday”). What role do colleges play in addressing environmental problems that come as a result of meat consumption? Meatless Monday recognizes that college students are crucial in reducing meat consumption in society because they will become the next leaders in our government and local communities. In order to solve the problem of the lack of participation and knowledge at American University, I will establish Meatless Monday.
The mission of Meatless Monday is to raise awareness about environmental consequences due to high meat consumption and reduce the intake of meat of students. There are variety of ways that Meatless Monday will inform students about environmental consequences due to meat consumption. Meatless Monday will have a table in the school cafeteria, Terrace Dining Room. Every other Monday, students who are part of various organizations will share their experiences with reducing meat in their diet. In addition, The Meatless Monday Team will bring professors in the environmental field to educate students about environmental impacts at the table of at the school cafeteria. Outside organizations like the Humane Society and the Vegan Outreach Group will be present at some of the tabling events, so the experts of these organizations can inform students about environmental consequences of a meat-rich diet. Another way to encourage students to reduce meat consumption is by asking them to take the Meatless Monday Pledge. By taking the Meatless Monday Pledge, students will sign a contract. A photo of the student(with permission) will be taken of the student and displayed in a collage with other students taking the Meatless Monday Pledge displayed at every tabling event. Each month, a new student will be featured at the tabling event on a big poster. The poster of the featured student will be on display and will include their experience with reducing meat consumption. This poster will also contain information about the amount of water and land that has been saved and emissions that have been reduced since taking the Meatless Monday Pledge.
There are many ways in which the Meatless Monday Team will engage with students. Every student who signs the Meatless Monday challenge will be put in a raffle to win a Meatless Monday T-Shirt and a free meal at a vegan or vegetarian restaurant in Washington, DC. The restaurant will be Cafe Green, Sticky Fingers or Founding Farmers. By receiving a voucher for a free meal, students can step outside their comfort zones and experience sustainable restaurants in Washington D.C. Raffles will be held every other Monday. Cutouts of farm animals will be displayed so students can take funny pictures with them. This is an effective way to promote Meatless Monday and engage students at our table.
The Meatless Monday Team will work with the manager, Michelle Mooney, of the Terrace Dining Room to reduce the amount of meat served. First, we will start with cutting half of the total amount of meat served on Mondays. Ultimately, we hope that Meatless Monday will garner enough support by the end of the year to completely eliminate meat. In addition, the Meatless Monday Team will work with Michelle to purchase healthy alternatives to meat products like vegan cookies, brownies, ice cream. One goal is to show students that it is easy to reduce animal products in there diet. Every Meatless Monday event will have a theme. Themes include Mediterranean Meatless Monday, Meatless Monday Indian Food, Meatless Monday Asian Cuisine, and more.
On March 26th 2011, an event will be held on the Quad to promote Meatless Monday and display the amount of water and land saved. This will also include the amount of emissions reduced. In addition, the Meatless Monday table will be on the quad instead of inside the Terrace Dining Room. During this event, Meatless Monday will bring outside organizations like Compassion Over Killing, the Humane Society and the Vegetarian Resource Group to the quad to table. These organizations will educate and inform students about the impact meat consumption has on the environment. The Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Chris Palmer, will be present at the Meatless Monday table. He will inform students about environmental pressures from meat consumption and show students where to find more information.
how you can get involved:
By taking the Meatless Monday Pledge, individuals can help to reduce meat consumption thereby reducing their carbon footprint. Each Monday, individuals who take the Meatless Monday Pledge will contribute less to environmental pressures front high meat consumption and reduce their impact on the water and food supply, emissions released from farms and factories and benefit human health. Another way in which others can help is by joining the Meatless Monday Team or by starting a Meatless Monday program at their school.
project updates:
