Ben & Jerry’s just launched another flavor of vegan ice cream to raise awareness of climate change.
Available in the UK, the new “Save Our Swirled” flavor, combines almond milk ice cream, coconut, chocolate chunks, and caramel swirls. It features similar ingredients to Coconutterly Caramel’d, but bears a new, climate change-aware message on the packaging.
Ben & Jerry’s UK is currently working with The Climate Coalition to raise awareness of climate change and lobby the government into action. A petition from both parties highlights the need for a green recovery from COVID-19 and the building of a climate-resilient economy to meet its net-zero by 2050 commitment.
Both Ben & Jerry’s and The Climate Coalition believe that a clean energy revolution to boost employment, additional support for vulnerable members of society, and increased protection, restoration, and expansion of green spaces are essential moving forward.
“The UK must lead the world by ensuring our recovery gets us on track to net-zero emissions and limits the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees C. Our best chance of building a resilient economy goes hand in hand with tackling climate change,” reads the statement.
Other policies supported by Ben & Jerry’s include cutting out coal and fossil fuels entirely, ceasing old-growth deforestation, the adoption of regenerative farming practices, and comprehensive support for developing countries’ climate mitigation and adaptation.
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‘We Can Call on Governments to Rebuild’
The new vegan ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s UK follows the August launch of “Unfudge Our Future” in Australia. The exclusive dairy-free flavor explicitly pressures the Australian government to ditch fossil fuels via its personalized packaging.
Each tub requests either Prime Minister Scott Morrison, treasurer Josh Frydenberg, or energy minister Angus Taylor “make fossil fuels history!” A portion of the sales from every carton of Unfudge Our Future goes to climate advocacy nonprofit 350.org Australia.
The packaging also asks that the coalition government “invest in a fast and fair transition to 100% renewables.” Ben & Jerry’s Impact & Activism Manager Steph Curley said that the brand has “a responsibility to advocate for a new future.”
“Whilst climate change affects us all, it doesn’t affect us all equally,” said Curley. “Many of our communities are at an increased risk of a warming planet.”
Ben & Jerry’s is also working closely with the Climate Council and has launched a new information section on its website. This aims to promote better climate education and a “science-led approach” to climate change: reducing fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy.
“These are critical decisions that will impact Australia and our planet for generations to come,” she added. “We’ve seen it’s possible to redesign the way we live, and with enough people power—we can call on governments to rebuild for a cleaner, resilient and fairer future for everyone.”
Vegan Ben & Jerry’s
The dairy industry is a leading cause of climate change, and the demand for vegan ice cream is growing. According to Grand View Research, the global dairy-free ice cream market may reach $1.2 billion by the year 2025.
Ben & Jerry’s now offers 17 vegan, dairy-free ice cream flavors around the world. In the U.S., these include three almond-free, sunflower butter-based varieties—ideal for those with nut allergies—including “Milk & Cookies,” “Crème Brûlée Cookie,” and “Mint Chocolate Cookie.”
“Plant-based eating is one of the biggest trends in the world and ice cream lovers everywhere have shouted for non-dairy/vegan options that rise to the levels of Ben & Jerry’s euphoric awesomeness,” CEO Matthew McCarthy said in a statement.
