"Climate change is a huge threat facing all of us... Shifting our diets towards more plant-based foods can have a major impact on climate change" said Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is the latest vegan celebrity to call on people to move towards a plant-based diet, pointing out that ditching animal products can benefit the environment.
The musician made the comments in a video she recorded in support of Friends of the Earth‘s (FoE) Climate-Friendly School Food Program, which is calling for the provision of more plant-based meals in US schools.
In the clip, Billie Eilish opened up about her own transition to veganism, and well as discussing the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet.
She said: “I was raised vegetarian and I chose to stop eating all animal products when I was 12.
“Once I learned about how animals are treated in our industrial food system, I didn’t want any part of it. Soon after I learned about the connection between animal agriculture and climate change.
“Climate change is a huge threat facing all of us, but it is especially frightening for young people and for vulnerable communities who are really, really going to suffer in our lifetimes. Shifting our diets towards more plant-based foods can have a major impact on climate change.”
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Billie Eilish-backed campaign
According to FOE, as school food feeds more than 32 million children across the US, schools have a ‘profound impact and opportunity to improve the health of students and the environment for generations to come’.
The organisation says: “Despite growing student demand, plant-based options account for a tiny portion of school meals.
“Serving more plant-based food and reducing institutional purchasing of factory farmed meat and dairy in schools is a high-impact strategy to mitigate climate change, improve student health and racial equity, and strengthen local food systems.
“Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food Program helps school districts make the shift towards healthy, delicious, organic, plant forward menus.
“We provide organic procurement and plant-based technical assistance and marketing materials, support student and community engagement strategies, and link school districts with the resources they need in order to be successful.”
Ditching animal foods can help the planet. Get some plant-based inspiration here with 30 easy vegan dishes anyone can make
Featured image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
