In a powerful visual, Mercy For Animals India staged a street protest at Lake View, a popular tourist attraction in Bhopal, condemning the devastating impact of meat consumption on the planet.
A ‘chef’ wearing an oxygen mask stood beside an artificial 3D barbecue grill emitting smoke, surrounded by volunteers who held placards that read “Meat is Choking the Planet: Choose Vegan.” Mercy for Animals’ volunteers educated passers-by on how meat consumption drives climate change and distributed leaflets highlighting the benefits of transitioning to plant-based foods.
Food systems account for at least 14.5 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions, three-fourths of which is accounted for by animal agriculture. With 303 million cattle, India’s animal agriculture industry accounts for 48 percent of the country’s total methane emissions, making it the single largest emitter of the potent greenhouse gas. Methane absorbs roughly 28 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
The world is bearing the brunt of the climate crisis and extensive meat consumption is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting a plant-based lifestyle is the most impactful action individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint to save the planet.
As an emerging nation, balancing economic development with environmental stewardship will be crucial in mitigating the impacts of climate change in India, which only adds to the urgency of transitioning to plant-based foods.