"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." - Mother Teresa.
Students at the University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) created lasting ripples by asking for a vegetarian cafe to be created instead of the hamburger themed menu that had been planned. The new cafe was popular enough that meatless Wednesdays were also added to the regular cafeteria menu. Eating lower on the food chain occasionally can help reduce the amount of energy and water that is used in food production. Switching completely to a vegan (no animal products) or vegetarian diet (typically includes dairy products and eggs) isn't necessary to help the planet, although the health benefits can increase with fewer animal products in the diet. Meat and dairy products use more energy and water to produce than equal amounts of calories from beans or other produce crops.
"Studies have shown that peer groups learn from peer groups–students from students, chefs from chefs, administrators from administrators.” - Tim Galarneau, a Media and Communications staffer at UCSC.
For more about the student's new cafe and eating lower on the food chain see: "Climate-Savvy Menus: Eating Lower on the Food Chain," The National Wildlife Federation Blog.
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