In the face of today’s climate crisis, it’s natural to wonder what more can be done to address the situation. When considering the chief causes, many immediately point to smoke-belching vehicles, deforestation, single-use plastics, and fossil fuels.
These factors are often cited as the main drivers of global warming and climate change—and with good reason. Transportation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions; around 20 million tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean each year; and forest loss is responsible for about 10 percent of global warming.
However, the meat (no pun intended, perhaps?) of the matter is lost in this equation.
In 2006, the United Nations reported that there’s more to the planet’s deterioration than black smoke and plastics surfing on ocean waves. Animal agriculture is revealed to produce more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation sector. The industry particularly produces 65 percent of the world's nitrous oxide emissions, which has a global warming impact that is 296 times greater than carbon dioxide.
The said industry is also the biggest water pollutant due to its animal wastes, fertilizers, and pesticides. In addition, 70 percent of land is utilized by the livestock sector, making them the prime suspects of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and world hunger or food inequity. To illustrate, 1.5 acres of rainforests are cleared every second for cattle ranches, and in the Amazon alone, an average of 1.4 billion trees are lost each year!
Annually, as climate disasters escalate, marginalized communities bear the brunt of the impact. On top of facing food shortages, land conversion, and land grabbing by those in power, these worsening crises disproportionately affect them.
Plant-based living may be the missing piece of the puzzle. Reconsidering what we eat can play a big part in upending the current system and status quo that is creating our ecological crises. Learning more about veganism and supporting the international Plant Based Treaty is a big step forward.
One of those who took this climate action and turned it into a movement is VegFest Pilipinas.
Originated in Canada in 1985, VegFest is a global gathering that celebrates the vegan philosophy. Its Philippine chapter started in 2016; by 2018, it was labeled as the biggest vegan festival in Asia. Until today, our country proudly holds the title. Yearly, attendees are treated to a fair filled with vegan and eco-friendly merchandise, performances, talks, fun family activities, and plant-based food and beverage choices.
In addition, VegFest Pilipinas is a champion for environmental change—amplifying the causes of world hunger, climate change, biodiversity loss, and animal oppression. The festival also does its best to run a zero-waste event by partnering with the Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Solutions, whose coalition members help in segregating and collecting managed waste. Our goal is to offer 100 percent compostable wares for both merchants and festival goers and educate the public on the effects of plastics and mismanaged waste on human, animal, and planetary health. Ultimately, all of these connect to the climate crisis.
Come join us and learn more about the movement that promotes animal welfare and sustainability. Together, let’s foster a kinder and greener world via mindful and compassionate consumption at The Spine, Blue Bay Walk on November 16 and 17.
Authors: Climate Reality Leader Peachie Dioquino-Valera, VegFest Pilipinas co-organizer, and Genesis Kyla Dela Pena