In 1970, on the first Earth Day, 20 million people pounded the drum of political activism. The demand for action led to the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With so much on the federal chopping block right now, including agencies created to protect the public good, we need local policies that fight climate denial and the cascade of attacks on nature.
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Earth Day is a perfect time to act:
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Cities are a crucial place for visionary new food policies, especially when federal actions are undermining efforts to reduce emissions and avoid climate catastrophe. Earth Day resolutions can highlight the role of food in the climate emergency and extinction crisis while encouraging government departments and the broader community to promote Earth-friendly food.
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Plant-based foods create 75% less greenhouse gas, use 75% less land, and use 50% less water to produce than animal products. The highest sources of consumption-based emissions in cities (13% to 20%) are meat and dairy, and by 2050, 80% of food globally will be served in cities.
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made it clear that dietary shifts are a key part of mitigating the climate crisis. That¡¯s why the Center for Biological Diversity has created an Earth Day food resolution that your city can adopt to show support for climate-friendly food policies.
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Adopting this resolution in April 2025 can help city and county departments, schools, restaurants, and local businesses recognize the importance of plant-based menus and promote Earth-friendly foods. In this way cities can take a strong first step toward creating resilient, sustainable food systems and .
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Help Your City Become a Food Trailblazer
Act: If you can't take action via our alert, don't worry ¡ª we have ?by emailing your mayor directly.
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Get the facts: Check out our and , including best practices and recommendations for cities.
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Other Ways to Celebrate
In addition to urging your local government to pass an Earth-friendly food resolution, here are a few ways you can get active:
- Celebrate by eating Earth-friendly food with friends and family.
One idea? Host a dinner highlighting plant-forward food. - Organize an event.
Whatever kind of event you plan, make sure to ask any food vendors to emphasize plant-based menus. Encourage speakers to address the effects of animal agriculture on the planet. See our to learn about the impact of plant-based food at events. -
Take part in an event.
If you can¡¯t host one, go to one in your community ¡ª and feel free to on Earth-friendly food. See if you can host your own food-centered table or booth. -
Take action at work.
Spread awareness by asking your company to have an office party focused on Earth-friendly food ¡ª you can host a potluck there too. - Share facts with others online.
Take to social media to share our pages and , tagging your post(s) with #EarthFriendlyDiet. Some of our favorites are , , and our ¡ª and there¡¯s much more at the °ä±ð²Ô³Ù±ð°ù¡¯²õ .
Talking About Earth-Friendly Food
Here are some talking points to start conversations, whether in person or online:
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Animal agriculture contributes at least 16.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Agriculture, particularly meat and dairy, is the leading source of biodiversity loss.
- Animal agriculture is the leading driver of deforestation.
- What we eat is an act of resistance: Cutting 90% of the beef in our diets and 50% or more of meat, dairy, and seafood can help us meet climate targets and stop the extinction crisis.
Last but not least, don¡¯t forget to encourage people to (or forward this newsletter).??????
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For the wild,
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