PROHIBITION IS NOT SUSTAINABLE

Some of us may be tempted, in a panic reaction to the approaching climate change disaster that is significantly affected by our greenhouse gas emissions, to change our lifestyles in an unsustainable way. The risk is that, as with strict slimming diets, we may reach a personal breaking point and then binge.

Reduction is a more sustainable approach than prohibition, and it is easy, and more effective, for almost all of us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, gradually, than for a very small number of us to strive for a "zero carbon" lifestyle.

I came across a useful brochure recently "Omnivore or vegetarian?" which quotes Caroline Lucas MEP: "A vegan driving a 4X4 does less damage to the planet than a meat eater on a bicycle".

The brochure states "...the production of a kg of beef generates approximately the same GHG emissions as driving 250 km." It records other environmental factors, such as: "For every litre of milk produced, we use 990 litres of water in the production process. This rises to over 15,000 litres for a kg of beef."

However the recommendation is to reduce meat and dairy consumption, not for us to change our diet overnight. Occasionally eating vegetarian or vegan food is an easy decision for all of us. It just means that we need to pause and reconsider what ingredients we will buy and what we will eat.

Once in a while try buying some soya, rice or almond milk, soya yoghourt, a vegan margarine and either make or buy a vegetable spread, to replace some of your meat and cheese sandwiches.

Look at some simple vegan recipes and buy a few ingredients if they are not already in your kitchen.

If you plan to eat out, ask the restaurant what vegetarian or vegan dishes will be on the menu. The more requests that restaurants receive, the choice and standards will improve to please the market. As the cost of ingredients in a vegan dish are usually significantly less than for a meat or fish dish, the cost of the dishes is often less. However, for restaurants unaccustomed to vegan cooking the costs, at present, are similar as the labour costs are greater.

The most important thing is to enjoy what you eat, and there are so many delicious vegan and vegetarian meals for you to choose from. Please spread the word and pass on your tips.