Green Monday is a global movement that encourages South Africans to make a positive difference to the environment – one meal at a time.
Replacing meat, eggs and dairy with plant-based foods such as nuts, grains, beans, legumes and vegetables, even just one day a week, can make a tremendous difference, especially as we face water restrictions, shortages of arable land and the threats of climate change.
We raise more than 1 billion land animals for food every year in South Africa and research indicates those numbers continue to grow.
All of this comes at a price, as raising animals for food contributes to climate change, deforestation, water pollution and water shortages: Climate-changing gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere at nearly every stage of meat, egg, and milk production.
In South Africa, animal agriculture accounts for 60 percent of total agricultural carbon dioxide.
Substantial amounts of farm land are also used to grow feed for farm animals.
Producing meat, milk and eggs requires huge amounts of water, whether for growing feed, cleaning housing enclosures, hydrating the animals, disposing their waste or disinfecting slaughtering equipment.
Humane Society International, Africa asks that you consider replacing animal products with plant-based foods every Green Monday in order to help us conserve and protect South Africa’s precious water supply.” Other benefits come from a greener diet.
“It is really easy to replace animal products in our meals with delicious and healthy plant-based alternatives,” according to Ms. Roode.
This year, World Environment Day happens to fall on a Monday, so make it a Green Monday.