In a fun but pointed YouTube clip, Dennis Kucinich says that if he were put in charge of the country he would order everyone to eat vegan chocolate-chip brownies. It's a quip, but he follows up by explaining that "the choice of diet affects the environment - resources, energy ... we need to be more thoughtful as a nation about the choices we make and the food that we consume."
Which brings us to today's topic: The holiday season, as they say, is a time for giving, and the new year is a common time to consider changes. Both of these tie in very well to a new initiative being put forth by a local group that promises to shower 30 people with free lunches, take-home foods, cooking classes and mentoring -- if they pledge to go vegan for 30 days.
As the press release from Friends of Animals notes, "Recent studies show that animal agriculture is responsible for at least 51% of all human-induced greenhouse gases. Your diet matters more than the car you drive." In other words, "The most direct way to help animals and reduce your carbon footprint is to go vegan!"
Based on an idea developed by Vegan Campaigns in London, the Vegan Pledge is being supported by local volunteers as well as many name-brand natural-foods companies who are donating products. It seems like a good idea -- though "vegan" is still a concept most people think of as foreign, scary and/or difficult, actually living that way can be surprisingly easy and fulfilling, and what better way to get that across than through the experience itself? That, at least, was probably Kucinich's thinking: People are scared to try "vegan" brownies, but will gladly scarf down these delicious treats that they only find out afterward are vegan.
Earth to Philly got the lowdown on the program from FOA Chapter Director Leila Fusfeld, who reports in this quick podcast (MP3, 2 MB) taped a few days ago that they've already filled 15 of the 30 spots. If you're thinking about changing your diet but aren't sure where to start, you can get more information at the FOA site or by contacting Leila directly.
(Happy Holidays, all! E2P Posting will be light until 2010.)
Can you please provide a link to the press release or to the data source from which FOA obtains their numbers?— michele- Sorry, I was out of town last week. If you mean the 51% number, it's from the Worldwatch Institute. Here's more info: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/earth-to-philly/Worldwatch_bombshell_1_threat_to_planet_Meat.html— lehmkuv
- Shorter version of above link: http://is.gd/5MepH— lehmkuv
The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.
Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.
Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.
Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.
Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product. Contact Vance with your 'green' news.
Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...
Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.
Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.
Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.
In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.
Sept. 17: A head start on cold season
Oct. 8: Help with fuel bills
Oct. 29: Last-minute ways to winterize
Nov. 19: Budgeting for the big bite
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