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Last month in honor of Earth Day, Mercy For Animals launched a global campaign to highlight the pivotal role that food can play in creating a better planet. The fact is that a shift to animal-free foods can help curb climate change, combat air and water pollution, and relieve pressure on our most vulnerable communities. Change food—change everything.
Here are just some of the things we were able to accomplish together:
India: Partnering with a Master Chef
In India, Mercy For Animals appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through an open letter to implement policy measures that facilitate a transition toward plant-based eating in the country. We also collaborated with Priya Vijan, the first-ever plant-based contestant on the cooking show MasterChef India, for an exclusive recipe video.
The United States: Penning an Open Letter
In the United States, Mercy For Animals joined forces with over 70 acclaimed chefs and influencers, including Tabitha Brown, Joanne L. Molinaro (The Korean Vegan), and Max La Manna, to pen an open letter to the EPA calling on stricter emission standards for factory farms. We collaborated with activist Genesis Butler and chefs Gabrielle Reyes (One Great Vegan) and Henry Firth and Ian Theasby of BOSH! to create three videos supporting the campaign, and we released a powerful mini documentary featuring U.S. senator Cory Booker. Over 4,090 supporters and organizations signed the letter, and our videos racked up nearly 300,000 views. Mercy For Animals also placed billboards in high-traffic areas of Los Angeles and New York reminding visitors that if we change food, we can change the world.
Mexico: Taking to the Subway
In Mexico, we aimed to raise awareness of the positive impact plant-based eating can have on our planet. We provided resources that empower people to leave animals off their plates, such as a vegan version of the “Plato del Bien Comer”—a famous scheme showing the foods a healthy meal should have. We promoted the plant-based version on our social media platforms and in Mexico City’s subway system. We also shared our vegan starter guide, which offers tasty recipes anyone can easily cook at home. Finally, we teamed up with Jack Duarte, a digital influencer who helped us inspire folks to protect the environment through their daily food choices.
Brazil: Spreading the Word Online
In Brazil, we launched a digital campaign to promote plant-based food and highlight how transforming the food system can be one of the most effective ways to address urgent global crises. Our content encouraged the public to join us in creating a world where food is safe, fair, and sustainable for all beings and the planet.
Join Us
It has become widely accepted that our global food system is a huge contributor to climate change. Just recently, the New York City government announced a commitment to reducing its food-based emissions by 33 percent by 2030. Animal agriculture accounts for a disproportionate share of food-based emissions—in fact, switching to a plant-based diet can cut your carbon footprint from food in half!
Do your part for Earth Day, and sign our open letter to those who have the power and responsibility to make positive change to our food system. Together, we can protect the planet, ourselves, and animals.