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The city of Ghent in Belgium has long been renowned for its meaty treats, especially fish and shellfish — but now, in what appears to be an unprecedented exercise, this city of 200,000 is going vegetarian once per week. What’s the big idea?
The organisers cite UN data arguing that meat production and consumption are to blame for 18% of greenhouse gases – more than cars. “If everyone in Flanders does not eat meat one day a week, we will save as much CO2 in a year as taking half a million cars off the road,” said a spokesperson for Flanders’ Ethical Vegetarian Association. “The basic premise is to introduce a way of lessening our meat consumption.”
There’s nothing compulsory, of course, but so far schools, hospitals and every restaurant in the city have agreed to guarantee at least one vegetarian dish every Thursday, with some of them going fully vegetarian.
The New York Times offers a few facts about how meat consumption affects the environment (despite the fact that their most popular article today is about “The Perfect Burger“):
Global demand for meat has multiplied in recent years, encouraged by growing affluence and nourished by the proliferation of huge, confined animal feeding operations. These assembly-line meat factories consume enormous amounts of energy, pollute water supplies, generate significant greenhouse gases and require ever-increasing amounts of corn, soy and other grains, a dependency that has led to the destruction of vast swaths of the world’s tropical rain forests.
The world’s total meat supply was 71 million tons in 1961. In 2007, it was estimated to be 284 million tons. Per capita consumption has more than doubled over that period. (In the developing world, it rose twice as fast, doubling in the last 20 years.) World meat consumption is expected to double again by 2050, which one expert, Henning Steinfeld of the United Nations, says is resulting in a “relentless growth in livestock production.”
Growing meat (it’s hard to use the word “raising” when applied to animals in factory farms) uses so many resources that it’s a challenge to enumerate them all. But consider: an estimated 30 percent of the earth’s ice-free land is directly or indirectly involved in livestock production, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, which also estimates that livestock production generates nearly a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than transportation.
On top of the environmental cost, there’s also the physical cost — there have been enough studies linking lifelong meat-eating with increased cancer rates that, in my mind at least, the connection is no longer an open question. That said, I’m not a vegetarian by any standard, but when I think about all this rationally, I kind of wish I were.
Anyone out there made the switch to veggie-hood recently? How’s it going so far?
Comments (32)
Comment
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Don’t forget that all those extra cow herds produce tons of methane as they…digest…and methane is far more toxic to the atmosphere and harder to get rid of than CO2.
That said, there is no way you could ever make me vegetarian! I like my meat too much. Though these days I usually only get steak when I visit my parents…
posted by Hastings on 7-2-2009 at 10:52 am
I have toyed with it too. But I only eat red meat once a week or less, and other meats only a little more frequently so I can’t imagine it would alter my diet significantly to cut them both out anyway.
posted by Hyacinth on 7-2-2009 at 11:07 am
I love and miss meat, but this is one of several reasons I’m vegetarian and eat very little dairy. A little personal sacrifice on all our parts could go a long way. A few seconds of flavor on my tongue isn’t worth the damage it causes.
posted by KKP on 7-2-2009 at 11:21 am
I blame Subway for the growing meat consumption. Their $5 footlongs with less fat yet more meat!
CURSE YOU JARROD!
posted by Witty Nickname on 7-2-2009 at 11:23 am
Having given up fast food and red meat in late 2007, I went full veggie in August 2008. Before the switch, I’d been on medication to treat hypothyroidism for nearly two years. Although I will likely be medicated for life, my condition rapidly stabilized after the switch, and all levels are currently functioning normally; I also lost 30+ pounds, even though I eat like a queen and made no drastic alterations to my exercise routine. My endocrinologist is thrilled with the results.
I dabbled in veganism briefly, but I love cheese far too much to consider giving it up, and I’ll very occasionally eat seafood when I’m back East; other than that, this is hands down the best choice I’ve ever made!
posted by Megan on 7-2-2009 at 11:29 am
I would love to go there, sip on a nice Trappist ale, eat some delicious veggies and munch on a big thick juicy burger on the side.
posted by Brian on 7-2-2009 at 11:41 am
I gave up eating red meat years ago, because I was tired of hearing about Ecoli. Once in a while I will have a burger, but that’s usually rare. I’ve tried to become a vegetarian, but I’m not very good at commiting to it. I love chicken and I don’t want to give up that.
posted by kat on 7-2-2009 at 12:05 pm
Hmmm: \The city of Ghent in Belgium has long been renowned for its meaty treats, especially fish and shellfish.\ Does the typical fish and shellfish create as much methane as the evil belching cow? I assume that the same scientists that figured this out are the same ones who discovered those Canadian cows who fart 25% less than the ordinary US cows.
I think the savings is in the fact that humans will burp less because they aren’t eating as much fish!
Hats off to the City of Ghent. Thanks to Vegetarian Thursdays, there’s no ozone hole above THEIR town.
posted by SlackJack on 7-2-2009 at 12:08 pm
I went full vegetarian (with very little dairy) five years ago because I was having trouble digesting animal products. It’s not hard at all. There is so much fantastic food that isn’t animal based. Here’s my advice:
Don’t eat the processed fake meat crap. Don’t try to make vegetable products taste like animals. Actual vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, whole grains, spices… these things taste amazing. Learn to cook with them and you won’t ever miss meat.
posted by Kristin on 7-2-2009 at 12:22 pm
The meat was easy. The dairy… not so much. I suck at being a vegan. But, my hope is that maybe goats don’t do as bad of things to the environment as cows? Maybe I can keep my feta??
Good for Ghent, though.
posted by tea on 7-2-2009 at 12:24 pm
So what if the world consumes more meat now than it did in 1961? There’s more people to feed! Eating healthy and being vegetarian are completely different. I know PETA people will hate it, but these animals were put here to feed us. (Who cares if they don’t have exemplary conditions, I sure as hell don’t) Vegans unite, there will be more for the carnivores.
posted by Doyal on 7-2-2009 at 12:33 pm
@Witty Nickname… The veggie delite sub is amazing! I always get it with all the fixin’s, and I never miss the meat. There are so many good meat substitutes and other foods that are so healthy, if you eat eggs and some dairy (hopefully organic or free range type stuff) you will get all the nutrients you need without needing meat. I don’t miss beef, seafood is a little hard and there are a few times when I miss something else. But I live in seattle and they even sell soy hot dogs near the ballpark, let alone the hundreds of restaurants that cater to veg’s. Eating a little less meat won’t hurt anyone and I love this article! I am most happy for people who cut down, even if you can’t stay 100% veg you are still making a HUGE difference. I think a lot of people don’t realize that you don’t have to go all the way to have a good impact on the environment. It won’t hurt to eat a steak once and a while if you are conscious of your actions.
posted by Carolyn on 7-2-2009 at 12:37 pm
I haven’t eaten meat in 5 years. I haven’t consumed any animal products (except by accident in some cases) in 3 years. It’s not hard or anything. People just make up silly excuses. Yes, let’s ruin our bodies, our planet and enslave other beings simply because we enjoy the taste of their flesh! Makes no sense to me… which is why I’m vegan and always will be. I feel better knowing I’m doing my part to make it a better world for everyone. No matter what your reaason is for eating meat, there’s always a better reason not to.
posted by Laura on 7-2-2009 at 1:06 pm
I started being a “mostly vegetarian” about a year and a half ago. It was a matter of realizing that most of the time I was eating meat merely because it was the fastest and easiest choice. I started making a conscious choice just to order a vegetarian dish every time it was available. Pretty soon I was eating meat once a week or less.
I’ve recently gone 100% vegetarian, because I noticed that my stomach was getting upset when I would eat meat (you lose the enzymes necessary to break it down if you don’t use them). It hasn’t been hard at all.
I’ve been reading a lot of Michael Pollan and basing my diet around fruits and vegetables and cutting out processed starches and refined sugars too. It’s amazing how much better I feel – every day, I’m overwhelmingly excited at the prospect of eating a delicious, plant based meal, but at the same time I’m not starving for junk food or addicted to sugar like I used to be. My energy is better, my immune system is stronger, and I swear that things even taste better. I’d encourage anyone to go vegetarian merely for the health benefits. It may be hard to make the transition, but once you do, you’ll never go back.
posted by Anneke M on 7-2-2009 at 1:29 pm
I went semi-veggie last year, not out of convictions of any kind but simply because I was poor. I put myself on a strict $60/week grocery budget, which does not leave space for $16/lb steak. I’ll cook two or three times a week and eat leftovers the other days, so I do a meat meal (usually chicken) on Sunday and the rest is either totally vegetarian or mostly so, like bacon bits on a baked potato.
I’ve really liked it. Veggies are quick to cook so they’re easy for busy weeknights, and can be done many delicious ways. I’ll never go totally veggie because I do like meat of all kinds, but I find that I enjoy it even more when it’s a special treat. I’ve also lost 25 lbs in the last year, though cutting out beer and Starbucks contributed to that as well.
posted by Meredith on 7-2-2009 at 2:10 pm
For anyone who is, or is considering going vegetarian for one day a week or more, the best gift you can get yourself is Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.” It is straightforward, easy to navigate and comes with charts that offer a dozen additional ways to tweak each recipe.
I got this as a gift when I moved in with my vegetarian husband. As someone who loves to cook, I was worried that my creativity was going to be hampered by his dietary desires. Turns out, we have settled into a very veg groove together, quite happily — and I think that book helped us navigate the kitchen.
I still eat meat occasionally, and I could never give up my beloved bacon, but there are more ways than you think to be a vegetarian without sacrificing taste, creativity, or sense of fun.
posted by terri on 7-2-2009 at 2:32 pm
I didn’t make it a week. I tried the week before Memorial Day weekend and my family had a BIG BBQ with all my favorites. I found out my granddad was grilling salmon steaks and ribs, and I caved. But I agree about the Veggie Delight sandwich. I like to eat mean but I get the ‘veggie-d’ every time I go to subway. I miss Subway. I wish they had it here in Italy… :-(
posted by Kate on 7-2-2009 at 2:39 pm
When my husband (then boyfriend) went veg in college, I swore up and down that I would not join him and derided him for his choice. I could not imagine being able to do that, and I wasn’t too sure why it was necessary. His silent dedication peaked my curiosity though and I started doing more research. I decided to give it a go (without telling him in case I failed) and found it was a lot easier to give up meat than I thought. I know there’s a food chain and animals do serve a purpose to nourish us, but I also believe that we consume more meat than we need and it’s wreaking havoc on our environment. That coupled with the fact that I can easily be nourished with vitamins and a balanced diet without meat made the shift sensible to me. The only time I miss meat is in early summer when I first smell the grills going. It’s been 6 years now. If you do eat meat, I strongly recommend assessing how much of it you’re eating and what source you’re getting it from. I strongly recommend organic farms as opposed to large scale slaughterhouses and, if possible, buying locally at farms where they will wind up using the whole animal. The less waste, the better!
posted by Wendy on 7-2-2009 at 2:54 pm
Good intentions but bad science. Most beef cattle spend most of their days noshing on prairie grasses, not unlike the bison of a bygone era. If they were not there, deer, antelope and other species would increase to fill that ecological niche. Their need for feed fuels our farm economy which, if not profitable, goes away.
Beware the politics of the food pyramid. Things are never as simple as they seem. Kudos to the Ghentians (?) for trying to do the right thing, but shame on others who use this concern to advance their own causes.
posted by Tom on 7-2-2009 at 2:59 pm
I’m giving 100% veganism a shot for 30 days this September. I want to experience the veg scene firsthand. In the meantime, I’m trying new recipes and learning as much as I can.
I’d try just vegetarian, but since I already like soymilk and don’t care for cheese, why not take the full plunge?
Right now, I’m omnivore, but I’m noticing that plant foods usually leave me feeling much better than animal foods. I’m also having trouble reconciling what I know happens in factory beef production facilities (they do NOT graze on prairie grasses, btw) with the fleeting pleasures of consuming these animals’ flesh.
I guess I’m already thinking like a veggie, I just haven’t made the full change in action.
posted by clint on 7-2-2009 at 3:08 pm
I went vegetarian on Easter 2008 for several reasons — the whole animal rights thing was a major reason, of course, but also by not eating meat, I’d eliminate fast food from my diet (I was in college and instead of going home and making dinner I’d just swing by McDonalds and grab a burger – super unhealthy and supporting the massive corporate monster). It’s a difficult transisition in the South (not very many options when dining out), but b/c of the “migration” of “Northerns” and their lifestyle, it’s much easier to find meatless options in the health section of the grocery store, albeit a bit more expensive. I miss bacon and delicious juicy burgers, of course, but I love the challenge of coming up with healthy options for meals and the knowledge that I’m not going to get sick from underprepared meat. I think the best thing about it is how quickly my family and boyfriend were to support me and help come up with healthy, meat free options. Going to weddings/parties/weekend with friends is still a pain b/c it’s a dietary need and I’ve had to either skip a meal or eat the meat (I know) and hope for the best if vegetarian options aren’t available. It’s definitely something I’m grateful I did, though, and would definitely suggest it to anyone interested in at least trying it.
posted by Melissa on 7-2-2009 at 3:53 pm
Hastings:
Do you have a source for that? Methane being as volatile and light as it is, I wouldn’t think it would stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, which is heavy and stable enough that even Mars (which lacks a protective magnetic field) can hold onto some.
posted by Calli Arcale on 7-2-2009 at 4:01 pm
Does Flanders’ Ethical Vegetarian Association go by FEVA? Because they totally should.
posted by Curtis on 7-2-2009 at 4:25 pm
I went vegetarian…oh wait…never. Ok hippies…It’s almost fourth of july and you’re telling me you’re not eating any meat? How depressing….On all of you vegetarians out there I will make sure that the people at my fourth of july gathering eat enough meat to make up for all of you…I will be buying ALL beef franks…ground beef for burgers…. and all kinds of steak. It’s ok to hate me now. What are our canines for? Wasn’t there a study showing that being a vegetarian shrinks your brain? Get some B12 and we’re all set.
posted by Adam on 7-2-2009 at 5:58 pm
@ Tom
Bad science? Hardly. Contrary to what you may think, most beef cattle do not live an idyllic prairie grass munching life. Those few that do tend to be overgrazed and destroy the natural wildlife in an area. They majority live in high density feed lots and consume feed grain, which has to be grown, harvested and transported to them. All of these steps take up energy and pollute in several ways.
Its true that there are economies built around this industry, but it doesn’t change the fact that they aren’t doing the environment any favors.
posted by Fact on 7-2-2009 at 10:36 pm
I became a vegetarian about five years ago, with the occasional cheat with fish. I kept the fish option open so that I wouldn’t cheat with a steak or a burger, but over the years I’m wanting that fish less and less. The only reason I haven’t cut it out of my diet entirely is to keep it simple if I eat out, or attend a wedding, or travel abroad.
It’s made it easier to be healthier. It’s made me feel better physically, and it’s taken away that edge of guilt every time I enjoyed a steak. Sure, it’s tasty. But so is Zucchini, eggs, popcorn, and a million other things that don’t pollute the way that a hamburger does. Again, it seems too selfish to say you need it because you like the taste. The taste lasts a few seconds, but the impact lasts a lifetime.
posted by Mez on 7-3-2009 at 1:56 am
I’m almost totally a carnivore. I don’t like many veggies. I have to force myself to eat them, ’cause I know I should. But I could live off of chicken, a little fish , and a little pork. Rarely eat red meat though…
posted by Vickey on 7-3-2009 at 9:58 am
Meat lovers should consider migrating to Montana. I hear that they are so carnivorous they consider chicken to be a vegetable
posted by Dennis M on 7-3-2009 at 10:52 am
I only eat meat twice a week and at pot lucks…I find there are plenty of really nice meatless dishes out there that are easy and delicious.
Look at some of the Greek and middle eastern offerings.
posted by Daci on 7-6-2009 at 1:21 pm
I gave up all meat January of this year. It was a challenge at first, but it’s not hard anymore. Environmental factors were a big part of my decision. Giving up meat even for just a day or two a week can make a difference.
Plus I feel healthier already!
posted by Ali on 7-10-2009 at 10:50 am
Wait… Schools, hosptials and restaurants in Ghent don’t offer a vegetarian option all the other days of the week?
posted by kojjan on 7-14-2009 at 4:01 pm
I became vegetarian more than 16 years ago, for health and environmental reasons, then became vegan in 2000 for ethical reasons.
Being vegan is a bit more work for me outside of the house as there are few vegan baked sweet options (I have quite the sweet tooth, though I’ve already drastically reduced my sugar consumption) at restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. This is slowly changing.
Glad to read that so many establishments in Ghent are on board with such a proposal. Even in Toronto, a large, diverse, cosmopolitan city with a strong veg*n community, I doubt such a thing could be pulled off. Toronto has a great vegetarian festival every summer, but to encourage, publicly, to have a city-wide meat-free day is hard to imagine.
posted by Abram on 10-25-2009 at 12:08 pm