Plant-Base Potlucks
UUCC’s Plant-Rich Diet Committee has planned plant-based potlucks on Saturday evening,
March 29 and Sunday afternoon, March 30 at the home of UUCC members, Ed Gaddy and Chris
Crandell.
These two potluck groups filled up fast! So, Phil Webster and Mary Rodgers have offered to
host another plant-based dinner on Sunday evening, March 30.
If you would like to attend this newly-added potluck dinner, please contact Mary Rodgers at
mary.rodgers@me.com or sign up at the Climate Table on Sunday morning.
For further information, contact Chris Crandell at chriscrandell1@gmail.com.
Most Effective Change
Did you know that eating a more plant-rich diet is the most effective change an individual can make to help minimize climate change? Research (as reported in The Lancet) has concluded that eating more plants would help:
- Reduce the impacts of climate change. Researchers found that food production is responsible for up to 30 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, with animal products accounting for the vast majority—about three-quarters—of these effects. The report states that projections for the future show that “vegan and vegetarian diets were associated with the greatest reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.”
- Save water. Agriculture accounts for about 70 percent of freshwater use, making it “the world’s largest water-consuming sector.” Meat and dairy products lead the way in guzzling up large quantities of water. Producing just a pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water.
- Alleviate hunger. The report found that more than 820 million people around the world lack sufficient food. It also noted that “almost two thirds of all soybeans, maize, barley, and about a third of all grains are used as feed for animals.”
The How-to’s, Challenges, and Objections to Plant-Based Diets — Frequently Asked Questions
In this document, we have assembled many of the most frequently asked questions related to plant-based diets. Many of the answers are adapted from the resources cited at the end of the document. Please check out these informative resources and the links embedded in the answers for more details.
Take Action With Meatless Mondays
Join thousands of others committed to enjoying meatless meals every Monday. We have a Meatless Mondays Cookbook with proven recipes that you can try!
Why Eat a Plant-Based Diet?
Watch a Ted Talk by Dr. Joanne Kong at University of Richmond
Information and Links
- UUMANE (UU Mid-Atlantic Network for the Environment) is an organization established by more than 100 members from more than 10 UU congregations in Maryland, DC and Virginia to increase our influence and improve the environment.
- How to be sort of vegan — and how it would help the planet (The Washington Post)
- It May Be Uncomfortable, But We Need to Talk About It: The Animal Agriculture Industry and Zero Waste (University of Colorado Boulder)
- How plant-based diets can help reverse the climate change crisis. (Vox.com)
- Every Argument Against Veganism? (Ed Winters, TEDx Bath University)
- Michigan State: Principles and Benefits of CSAs
- How Eating More Plants Can Save Lives and the Planet
- See a presentation from Dave Liker of Gorman Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Video
In this video, The incomparable Jane Goodall describes the links between human behavior, climate crisis and plant-rich diets.
View Jane Goodall video.
Contact: Chris Crandell