Get Involved
My Story
In a show of my dedication to this topic, I took the initiative to make an impact in my own community. I am a member of Greek Life at the University of Maryland and I successfully petitioned my sorority’s Director of Chapter Facilities to change our meal plan. Living in my Chapter House comes with a required meal plan, with beef and rice appearing frequently on the menu. With only a month and a half left of the Fall 2018 semester, I was realistic about my goals and proposed the idea of changing two meals from serving beef and rice into serving chicken and quinoa instead. I was able to convince her with logical and emotional appeals, arguing that this is necessary to improve both the health of our sisters and the health of our planet. The Director of Chapter Facilities was responsive and receptive to my ideas and my plan went into effect.
Two meals may seem small, but consider the fact 47 women live in the House and for each meal that beef is served, the House orders about 35 pounds in preparation. For each pound of beef that is produced, the equivalent of 30 pounds of CO² are emitted into the air and 1,799 gallons of water are wasted¹. Changing two meals, a total 70 pounds of beef, multiplied by 30 pounds of CO² equivalent and 1,799 gallons of water, means that 2,100 pounds of CO² equivalent were not released into the air and 125,930 gallons of water were not wasted by making a simple and harmless choice.
In a show of my dedication to this topic, I took the initiative to make an impact in my own community. I am a member of Greek Life at the University of Maryland and I successfully petitioned my sorority’s Director of Chapter Facilities to change our meal plan. Living in my Chapter House comes with a required meal plan, with beef and rice appearing frequently on the menu. With only a month and a half left of the Fall 2018 semester, I was realistic about my goals and proposed the idea of changing two meals from serving beef and rice into serving chicken and quinoa instead. I was able to convince her with logical and emotional appeals, arguing that this is necessary to improve both the health of our sisters and the health of our planet. The Director of Chapter Facilities was responsive and receptive to my ideas and my plan went into effect.
Two meals may seem small, but consider the fact 47 women live in the House and for each meal that beef is served, the House orders about 35 pounds in preparation. For each pound of beef that is produced, the equivalent of 30 pounds of CO² are emitted into the air and 1,799 gallons of water are wasted¹. Changing two meals, a total 70 pounds of beef, multiplied by 30 pounds of CO² equivalent and 1,799 gallons of water, means that 2,100 pounds of CO² equivalent were not released into the air and 125,930 gallons of water were not wasted by making a simple and harmless choice.
I share this story in an effort to encourage you to do the same. If you live on campus, or in a Chapter House like me, and have a meal plan that is unsustainable, both for the environment and public health, get in touch with a dining services representative. Show them this website, explain to them the benefits of introducing sustainable alternatives and reducing their usage and dependence of methane and carbon-intensive foods, and the costs associated with the switch. For example, in the United States a pound of ground beef, one of the lowest quality forms of beef products, retails for $3.71, as of October 2018². A pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, as of November 2018, retails for $1.83 per pound³.
If you are not a student, ask your family or roommates to do the same. If you live alone, make your own food and restrain from eating out or eating these foods when out.
If you are not a student, ask your family or roommates to do the same. If you live alone, make your own food and restrain from eating out or eating these foods when out.
Contact Your Representatives
One way to get the attention of your federal and state lawmakers is by corresponding with them by calling their offices and sending in mail. Based on my experience working in a Washington D.C. Congressional Office, correspondence is most effective when a constituent is as specific as possible about their concerns or comments. For example, mentioning specific pieces of legislation in Congress is a fantastic way to get their attention and a response. If no relevant legislation exists, talk about the rising impacts of climate change, your concerns about the environment, and why lawmakers should put protections in place to save our planet. An example of what to say.
People often forget that our representatives are exactly that, representing the views and values of those who elect them. If enough people are outspoken and unified on a particular issue, the power shifts away from representatives to the hands of constituents who vote to keep these representatives in power. If you are unsure who your local representative is, check these links.
One way to get the attention of your federal and state lawmakers is by corresponding with them by calling their offices and sending in mail. Based on my experience working in a Washington D.C. Congressional Office, correspondence is most effective when a constituent is as specific as possible about their concerns or comments. For example, mentioning specific pieces of legislation in Congress is a fantastic way to get their attention and a response. If no relevant legislation exists, talk about the rising impacts of climate change, your concerns about the environment, and why lawmakers should put protections in place to save our planet. An example of what to say.
People often forget that our representatives are exactly that, representing the views and values of those who elect them. If enough people are outspoken and unified on a particular issue, the power shifts away from representatives to the hands of constituents who vote to keep these representatives in power. If you are unsure who your local representative is, check these links.
Social Responsibility
Another way to get involved is to make climate change a social issue. This can range from an individual level to a more collective level. On the individual side, talk to your friends and family about this issue. Show them this website, make them understand that what we eat directly impacts our environment and our choices have consequences. Frame the issue of climate change in your listeners perspective. Show and explain to them data and research that no one can deny. Discuss what a carbon footprint is and why it's important to limit it at all corners. Talk about the dangers of these methane-intensive foods on their health, such as the risks of obesity, chronic disease, and heart failure, among many others.
On a more collective basis, there are many local, state, and national organizations that are concerned with protecting the environment. Public interest groups and social movements have made strides to bring about more regulation for the meat industry. For instance, in the past 20 years activists and small-scale farmers have achieved legislative victory in Minnesota and North Carolina in regard to emission standards and waste management respectfully⁴. Successes like these give hope that motivated and organized individuals can speak out and make a significant impact on the meat industry.
Another way to get involved is to make climate change a social issue. This can range from an individual level to a more collective level. On the individual side, talk to your friends and family about this issue. Show them this website, make them understand that what we eat directly impacts our environment and our choices have consequences. Frame the issue of climate change in your listeners perspective. Show and explain to them data and research that no one can deny. Discuss what a carbon footprint is and why it's important to limit it at all corners. Talk about the dangers of these methane-intensive foods on their health, such as the risks of obesity, chronic disease, and heart failure, among many others.
On a more collective basis, there are many local, state, and national organizations that are concerned with protecting the environment. Public interest groups and social movements have made strides to bring about more regulation for the meat industry. For instance, in the past 20 years activists and small-scale farmers have achieved legislative victory in Minnesota and North Carolina in regard to emission standards and waste management respectfully⁴. Successes like these give hope that motivated and organized individuals can speak out and make a significant impact on the meat industry.