The Vegan Society is backing calls for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to adopt a plant-based diet.
Coordinated by the Portuguese Vegetarian Association, the charity has signed an open letter alongside 46 others including politicians, journalists, actors, singers and 23 international NGOs such as the European Vegetarian Union, Million Dollar Vegan and WWF.
As part of a worldwide campaign called Plead for Planet, the coalition are using today (18 June), on what is Sustainable Gastronomy Day, to send the letter that urges Mr Guterres, a contributor to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, to update his plate and in turn have a more positive impact on the planet.
The letter acknowledges Mr Guterres’ past warnings on the growing threat of climate change, which he’s previously referred to as "the battle of [his] life” before quoting the 2021 UN report “Making Peace with Nature”. It ends by pleading with Mr Guterres to align his actions with the available scientific evidence and set an example to his grandchildren, the youth and other world leaders.
The Plead for Planet Campaign was started by the Portuguese Vegetarian Association in 2020 and is the result of several national and international entities coming together around a common goal: to raise awareness globally on the benefits of a plant-based diet. The public are also being asked to sign a petition with an aim to reach 30,000 signatures by July 9th.
Louise Davies, CEO of The Vegan Society said: “Leadership by example is vital in tackling the climate crisis, and this includes changing diets. There’s enough evidence to show that switching to a plant-based diet can play an important part in our climate solutions. It also has the potential to unlock several other benefits including reducing water and land use.”
“That’s why we’re delighted to be supporting Plead for Planet and hope today’s letter encourages not only Mr Guterres but other people in power to change their ways and start following a diet that is kinder for animals and the environment.”
Sustainable Gastronomy Day was instituted by the UN in 2016 to highlight the environmental benefits of sustainable gastronomy – a specific kind of cooking that focuses on the ingredients' source and how food is grown. It also aims to promote agricultural development, food security, nutrition, sustainable food production and conservation.
If you are interested in dietary change to help tackle the climate crisis, join thousands more in The Vegan Society’s Plate Up for the Planet pledge today.
