Why Veggie Day?
The Belgian city of Ghent is about to become the first in the world to go vegetarian at least once a week.
From May 2009 there will be a regular weekly meatless day, in which civil servants and elected councillors will opt for vegetarian meals.
Ghent means to recognise the impact of livestock on the environment.
The UN says livestock is responsible for nearly one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, hence Ghent’s declaration of a weekly “veggie day”.
Public officials and politicians will be the first to give up meat for a day.
Schoolchildren will follow suit with their own veggiedag in September.
It is hoped the move will cut Ghent’s environmental footprint and help tackle obesity.
Around 90,000 so-called “veggie street maps” are now being printed to help people find the city’s vegetarian eateries.
From Belgian city plans ‘veggie’ days, by Chris Mason, BBC News, Ghent
and Ghent, Belgium, Announces Weekly ‘Vegetarian Day’, PETA, 20th May 2009
The City of Nottingham is well placed to build on the initiative shown by it’s Twin City, Ghent in adopting a weekly Veggie Day.
- In January 2009, Nottingham City Council signed ‘The Covenant of Mayors’ to reconfirm their commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.
- The Council House, on Nottingham’s Old Market Square, is the venue of one of the UK’s leading vegan festivals, the East Midlands Vegan Festival, to be held for the 6th year on 12th December 2009, the very day of the Global Day of Action at the time of the United Nations Talks on climate change (COP15), in Copenhagen.
- Nottingham University topped a poll of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly UK Universities, “with plans for a new, improved range of vegan sandwiches, more main courses and regular options in halls of residence.”
- Nottingham is home of one of the UK’s longest established vegan catering campaigns. Veggies celebrates its 25th year in October 2009, having been declared best vegan caterer for three successive years!
- There is already an extensive Vegan Nottingham Guide – in fact two, online at http://www.vegan-nottingham.co.uk/ and a print version listing many establishments serving climate-friendly meals.
- Nottingham is right up there with Brighton, Bristol and Glasgow vying for the accolade of the most Veggie-Friendly City. The declaration of a weekly Veggie Day will be the icing on the (dairy-free) cake!
- Nottingham will benefit from the positive publicity received by Ghent, by adopting a similar policy. See news coverage at http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ghent+veggie+day
“We’re doing our bit…”
Nottingham City Council declares itself to be “at the forefront of the movement to think globally and act locally, helping to deliver national and international commitments as well as empower local residents to do their bit”. (Nottingham Arrow)
