Australian MP Andy Meddick is campaigning for Victorian Parliament to adopt the popular global campaign, Meat-Free Mondays.
Andy Meddick is an MP for the Animal Justice Party, an Australian political party that aims to give a political voice to animals. It stands for kindness, equality, rationality, and non-violence, according to its website. Meddick is vegan.
Animal Justice Party also campaigns for environmental issues and stands against wildlife destruction. Meddick notes that this is why Victoria’s Parliament House should ditch animal products on Mondays. He referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) reports that food production must fundamentally change if we are to prevent a climate crisis.
He said in a statement, “the most recent [IPCC] special report notes that clean energy and clean transport alone will simply not be enough to cut global emissions to avoid dangerous warming. We must do more — it starts with what is on our plates.”
“This is a common-sense and reasonable measure,” he continued. “As leaders of the state, members of Parliament should be setting an example and acting on climate science before it is too late.”
‘Fight Climate Change With Diet Change’
According to the IPCC, humans have fewer than 12 years to prevent a climate change crisis. Rapidly rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme environmental disasters. Drought, wildfire, floods, and food shortages could affect millions of people.
In 2018, the largest-ever food production analysis revealed that switching to a vegan diet is the single biggest thing a person can do to reduce their impact on the planet.
“Indeed, one of the most effective ways to fight climate change is with diet change,” continued Meddick in his statement.
Some MPs are not impressed with Meddick’s proposal. Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said, “I usually bring my lunch from home, so I’m not that troubled. But I imagine there’ll be a bit of color and movement around tofu versus roast lamb.”
Meddick maintains, however, that switching to a Meat-Free Monday menu “doesn’t mean missing out.”
He noted, “the chefs and dining room staff with Parliament House make some fantastic vegan options that I am sure all of my colleagues would enjoy.”
