Sir Paul McCartney launches Meat Free Monday to fight climate change and protect the environment
Last updated 15/06/2009 09:38:24
Sir Paul McCartney launches Meat Free Monday
A roll-call of some of the biggest names in show business are joining a mass movement today to limit meat eating and combat climate change.
Sir Paul McCartney is a driving force behind Meat Free Monday, which aims to persuade people to go veggie once a week to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the world's livestock, among the most serious contributors to global warming.
Life-long vegetarian Sir Paul, who's leading the campaign with his daughters, Stella and Mary, says: "We should care about climate change because if we don't, we are going to leave our children and their children in a hell of a mess.
"Many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable,healthier world.
He added: "Having one designated meat-free day a week is a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once."
The McCartneys have attracted support from singer Chris Martin, actors Kevin Spacey, Woody Harrelson and Joanna Lumley. Support has also come from Sir Richard Branson, comedians Ricky Gervais, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman.
Another supporter, Sir David King, the Government's former chief scientist, said: "The carbon and water footprints associated with producing beef are about 20 times larger than maize production. Eating less meat will help the environment."
Vast areas of the Amazon rainforest are being cut down to make way for cattle ranches and to grow soy for feed. Cows emit huge amounts of methane, which has 21 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide.
Stella McCartney said: "Whether you eat meat or not, you can be part of this decision to limit the meat industry destroying our planet's resources."
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For further information go to http://www.meatfreemondays.co.uk/