Introduction

Our food choices present a powerful way to care for the planet and live our values. Over recent decades, meat consumption has surged, especially in the global North, leading to farming practices that fuel climate change, pollute ecosystems, and harm animals. But by choosing plant-based or vegan diets, we can nourish ourselves while treading more lightly on the Earth—enjoying an abundance of flavors and nutrients.

These diets are nothing new. For centuries, Buddhism, Hinduism, Rastafarianism, and Quakerism have embraced vegetarianism as a form of non-violence. Veganism also has deep roots in Africa, India, the Mediterranean, and Indigenous cultures worldwide.

Is Your Food in Harmony with the Environment?

Switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet is one of the most effective ways to protect the planet. Conventional animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, with impacts that include:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Animal agriculture accounts for 57% of all greenhouse gas emissions from food production. Meat and dairy generate twice the carbon pollution of plant-based foods.
• Biodiversity Loss: The expansion of land for feed crops and grazing displaces native species, and agriculture drives nearly 75% of global deforestation, devastating natural habitats.
• Ocean Destruction: Livestock farming causes dead zones in oceans due to pesticide, fertilizer, and waste runoff. These zones, which span thousands of miles, also result from exploitative seafood industry practices.
• Inefficient Resource Use: Animal agriculture wastes resources and exacerbates global hunger. Producing one pound of beef requires 1,800 to 5,000 gallons of water, while the same amount of wheat uses only 25 gallons.
• Runoff and Pollution: Factory farms, especially Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), produce toxic manure, which contaminates soil and groundwater with heavy metals and nitrates, creating nonpoint source pollution.
• Antibiotic Resistance and Disease: Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on factory farms drive the use of antibiotics, contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can cause illness in humans.

While the environmental toll of animal agriculture is alarming, adopting a plant-based diet can significantly benefit both the planet and your health. A plant-based diet may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, while boosting energy, mental health, and digestion.

Can Small Changes Make a Difference?

You don’t have to switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet overnight! Start small by adding more plant-based meals to your routine. A great place to begin is with Meatless Monday: just one day a week of plant-based eating can save 1,150 gallons of water, preserve 32 square feet of forest, and cut your carbon footprint by 21 pounds.

It’s important to recognize, though, that not everyone has easy access to fresh, plant-based foods. Many food systems are designed in ways that limit healthy options in certain communities. This disparity, known as food apartheid, describes the systemic divide between areas with access to nutritious food and those without. As a result, marginalized and low-income communities often face worse health outcomes, while wealthier and predominantly white neighborhoods enjoy reliable access to fresh and organic foods.

Advocate for Food Justice

We need advocates like you to address environmental racism and champion food justice. Our partner, Plant Futures, is a global student-led movement at the crossroads of climate justice, public health, social justice, and animal welfare. By equipping students with education, tools, and a strong network, they are building a diverse, multidisciplinary talent pipeline to drive change in the global plant-based food and agriculture sector.

Influencers like Queer Brown Vegan highlight the intersection of health, sustainability, and accessibility, shedding light on the challenges of making plant-based foods available to everyone. By collaborating, we can advocate for sustainable, healthy food systems that respect both people and the planet. This movement is truly intersectional, embraced by people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Inspired to try a plant-based meal? Explore recipes from our partners, Meatless Monday Campaigns and Nature’s Path. Opt for organic ingredients and enjoy a meal that fuels both you and the planet.

Resources for Plant-Based Living

Explore these resources to help you on your plant-based journey. Whether you’re looking for meal inspiration, advocacy tools, or educational materials, these resources offer guidance and support to help you make informed and impactful choices for both your health and the planet.

Each Greener Winner will receive: 

• • Selection of certified organic products from our partner, Nature’s Path, a family-owned company whose mission is to leave the earth better than they found it. They are committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. They hold organic to a higher standard: to build and regenerate the soil. All of their production facilities are zero waste and they are always trying to improve their energy and water conservation.
  • Copy of Chronicle Books’ cookbook, Good for You: Bold Flavors with Benefits. Award-winning chef Akhtar Nawab presents 100 healthful and hearty recipes that satisfy every appetite. With bright, enticing photography, Good for You is a delicious pick for both amateur and seasoned home cooks.

Each Greenest Winner will receive: 

• Selection of certified organic products from our partner, Nature’s Path, a family-owned company whose mission is to leave the earth better than they found it. They are committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. They hold organic to a higher standard: to build and regenerate the soil. All of their production facilities are zero waste and they are always trying to improve their energy and water conservation.
• Two cases of organic Oat Milk from Willa’s Kitchen. Willa’s mission is simple: to create oat milk that tastes as good as it is for people and the planet. Made with whole oats and all organic ingredients. That’s it.
• Copy of Chronicle Books’ cookbook, Veg-Table by Nik Sharma. A fascinating exploration of the unique wonders of more than fifty vegetables through captivating research, stunning photography, and technique-focused recipes. For cooks of all skill levels looking to add more delicious and satisfying vegetable dishes to their diet.
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