For years, it's been recognized that consuming animals can significantly affect our planet beyond just concerns about animal welfare. The process of raising and preparing animals for food requires more resources than one might realize.
In a significant move, students from the University of Kent have chosen to shift to vegan catering by 2027 to actively mitigate the environmental impact associated with meat consumption.
A remarkable decision was made through a vote, with over 450 students participating. This vote addressed the question of whether to transition away from animal products as a means to address the environmental repercussions of animal farming. This turnout marked one of the highest participation rates in the history of the Kent Union.
This vote has been moved up the ladder to the university’s board of trustees. Still, this movement was started by students at Stirling, Cambridge, Birmingham, University College London, Queen Mary University of London, and London Metropolitan, who also made the same vote.
According to experts, animal agriculture makes up about 35% of human-caused methane emissions and is responsible for most of the greenhouse gasses caused by the food system.
There are many initiatives out there to support the transition to plant-based diets, from subsidies for farmers to swap to alternative protein production to research and development.
In schools, Plant-Based Universities have been working with students at Kent to support them.
They stated: “Young people recognize the need to act on the climate and nature crisis, and are doing so. This win is part of a massively growing group of hardworking, dedicated, and loving students across the UK and beyond.”
Earlier in the year, a study was conducted to determine how it can help students make climate-friendly choices.
They offered the one plant-based option at one dining hall location, and the study was done at three different universities, but they would still give students the meat-based dish if asked. They found that 81% of the students chose a plant-based entree when they were available as the default choice.
CEO of the Sodexo US Campus Division that conducted the study said: “Having the plant entrée as the default demonstrated that people are open to trying and enjoying plant-based options with the added benefit of helping the planet.”
People tend to go with the most convenient option presented to them, and in a dining hall situation, they will shift toward what they are most familiar with. However, this study shows that when given this option as a default, many are willing to try and will enjoy plant-based options when available to them.
As a longtime vegan myself, I often find that one of the struggles of a vegan diet is the lack of options. Many restaurants and other locations don’t offer plant-based options and aren’t readily available to the public. Many places offer this as an option, but only by special request instead of having it available as a default.
Imagine the difference we could make not only in the animal lives saved but the environmental impact of having the meat-based options as the special request option instead.
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