On behalf of Friends of Animals and our members, I would like to thank you for your efforts at the COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference. We know that you have taken every step possible to convince world leaders that climate change is real, and that immediate steps must be taken to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that threaten our planet. We stand with you in these efforts.

While we applaud your actions to reduce industrial emissions, we feel that not enough is being done to reduce greenhouse gasses caused by animal agriculture.

Previously released reports, such as those by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the Lancet and researchers at the University of Chicago, have proven without a doubt that our demand for meat and dairy products is a major source of greenhouse gasses. The production of meat and dairy products emits a whopping 80 percent of all methane gas emissions. Even small family-owned farms contribute to this figure ““ an organic dairy or chicken farm can produce more greenhouse gases than an industrial factory.

The most recent report to be released, Livestock and Climate Change, issued by the Worldwatch Institute, demonstrates that 51 percent of the of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are directly linked to dairy and meat production. While these reports may vary in the amount of greenhouse gasses they attribute to animal agriculture, the reports all come to the same conclusion ““ our diet plays a significant role in climate change.

As an environmental leader, we know that you want to do everything in your power to curb harmful emissions and protect our planet. We also know that you want to encourage your members and supporters to do the same.

That’s why we are calling on you, if you haven’t already, to make a New Year’s resolution to ‘Go Vegan.’

Veganism is a diet that voids all use of animal products, including meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and honey. In addition, we shun all use of leathers, wool, silk and furs.

Going vegan is the easiest and most effective step a person can take to reduce greenhouse emissions. By going vegan, you will be sending a message to your members, and world leaders, that you are serious about ending climate change. You will also be demonstrating that people can make a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gasses just by changing their diet.

To put it bluntly: It’s time to put your carbon credits where your mouth is.

Animal agriculture is responsible for everything from deforestation to factory farming waste ponds ““ and if you eat meat or dairy, you are contributing to these destructive practices.

Friends of Animals hopes that you will investigate for yourself the effects of animal agriculture on climate change, and resolve to go vegan. Our office will be more than happy to send you a copy of our Vegan Starter Guide and any other information that would help in your transition to a healthy and environment-friendly diet. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Priscilla Feral
President