West Hollywood’s Food Day was a celebration of the city’s endorsement of the Plant Based Treaty. As part of LA Climate Week, the event showcased many organizations working towards a kinder planet. And yes, the catering was all vegan, plant-based and delicious!
On stage, a panel of young, passionate vegan influencers talked of spreading the message through community, entrepreneurship and education.
West Hollywood Signs Plant Based Treaty
The City of West Hollywood is the second city in the LA Metropolitan Area to endorse the Plant Based Treaty following the City of Los Angeles’s example. This treaty is aiming to reduce reliance on animal agriculture and promote sustainable plant-forward food systems. For West Hollywood, they have committed to serving plant-based food by default at all city events. Mayor Chelsea Byers championed the cause whilst Vice Mayor – and the Plant Based Treaty resolution was passed in October 2024.
Animal Agriculture v. The Climate Crisis
So why a Plant Based Treaty? Quite simply, animal agriculture is a major factor in the climate crisis. Additionally, it is often ignored in the fight to reduce emissions and promote biodiversity. Livestock farming is responsible for at least 20% of greenhouse gases, although the World Bank’s latest report suggests a figure nearer half of all emissions. Methane has a warming impact 80 times that of carbon – and around 40% of methane emissions are from farm animals. If we can reduce the amount of meat and dairy we eat, then each one of us can have a big say in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, livestock farming has a huge impact on biodiversity. Livestock grazing uses a quarter of all land worldwide. Moreover, a third of farmland is used to grow food for animals, not people. And what about the lives of those cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, goats and on and on? Often short and cruel and then ending in slaughter. 80 billion animals are killed each year to feed the world. A switch to a plant-forward diet would free up so much land for rewilding, reforestation and growing crops for humans.
Water is also a scarce commodity in many countries. Beef has the highest water footprint of any food, needing 900 gallons to produce an 8oz steak. And beef takes six times the amount of water as lentils to produce the same amount of protein.
What is the Plant Based Treaty?
What is the Plant Based Treaty? The treaty proposes three core principles as follows:
- Redirect: Promotion of plant-based foods and moving from animal-based to plant-based food systems.
- Relinquish: No land use change for animal agriculture.
- Restore: Restoration of key ecosystems and reforestation of the earth.
In addition, there are 40 proposals to help individuals, groups, businesses and cities action the treaty as and when they can.
Why not sign the treaty right now for Earth Day? It is quite simply the most powerful way you can reduce your impact on the planet… and it’s a win for life on earth too.
Read more about animal agriculture’s impact on your Food’s Carbon Footprint.
And Make a Positive Impact on Earth Day by going meat-free.
