The mighty power of the fork

With resources and power far beyond the reach of most individuals, governments and corporations can drive significant reductions in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change. But not every government or company makes or honors meaningful sustainability commitments.

Fortunately, we’re not powerless as individuals. Holding governments and companies accountable is one way each person can make a difference against the climate crisis. We can vote for political candidates who demonstrate that climate change is a priority for them, for example, and ask them to support pro-environment policies at the local, state, and federal level. We can give our business to companies that are working toward rigorous emissions reduction targets.

Just as importantly, we can take easy steps every day to minimize our personal GHG footprints, and that’s where Meat Me In The Middle comes in. Individuals can choose to eat less meat, because meat makes a significant contribution to climate change.

Meat Me In The Middle is not asking you to be vegetarian if that doesn’t appeal to you. According to one model, a vegetarian diet is responsible for only about 60 percent of the global warming potential of a “medium meat-eater” diet, so vegetarianism is a great choice. But if people who eat meat would simply eat less of it, then animal agriculture’s contribution to climate change would be less.

Bold climate action from corporations and governments is essential to halting global warming. But with our individual food choices, we all have the same power to change the world as CEOs, board chairs, mayors, senators, and presidents do when they pick up a fork. Let’s take that opportunity to be leaders and visionaries. Let’s eat less meat.