• On 10/11/22, at a students union general meeting, the Plant-Based Universities campaign put forward a motion for their facilities to transition to 100% plant-based catering by 2025, with 50% of the options being so by the 2023-24 academic year [1].
• A majority of the, around 100, attendees voted in favour of the motion that will affect the 3 outlets operated by the union.
• The vote is a landmark victory for the Plant-Based Universities campaign, which was announced in November  2021 [2].
• George Monbiot has spoken out about the vote, in a comment given to Plant-Based Universities.

Students at The University Of Stirling have voted to embrace a completely plant-based menu to address the climate and ecological emergencies. The decision represents the first of its kind in the UK, following similar commitments by universities in Germany [3].

George Monbiot, the climate and animal justice writer and author of ‘Regenesis’, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the next generation taking control of their future and putting humans, nonhuman animals and the planet first. The Plant-Based Universities campaigners at The University Of Stirling are leading the way in tackling the climate crisis and creating a sustainable food system”

In 2018, comprehensive research from the University of Oxford showed that 76% of the land currently used for food production would be freed-up by a global transition to plant-based production [4]. This land could be rewilded and begin carbon drawdown, mitigating the worst impacts of climate breakdown. A 2019 Harvard University report on UK farmland and food production from Helen Harwatt and Matthew N. Hayek also concluded that the UK would be carbon-negative if it completely transitioned to a plant-based food system [5].

Imogen Robertson, 21, one of the campaigners at Stirling said:

“This vote is a clear sign that young people are willing to take decisive action on the climate and ecological emergencies. We will be working with catering staff to ensure this vote is implemented in a way that provides cheap, delicious, planet-saving options throughout our Student’s Union.

We are delighted that our fellow students have decided to follow the scientific advice from world-leading academics and step into a brighter future. We hope this sparks a wave of bold action across UK universities to commit to just and sustainable plant-based catering”

The Plant-Based Universities campaign is a nationwide initiative of students who are pushing for their universities and student unions to adopt 100% plant-based catering. The group claims that universities have an obligation to follow the scientific research that they produce, detailing the environmental impacts of animal farming and fishing. The campaign is active in over 40 institutions, with the group encouraging interested students to sign up to run local campaigns.

The Plant-Based Universities campaign is supported by the well-known animal and climate justice group Animal Rebellion.

ENDS

Word Count: 478

For interviews or further comment please contact:

Nathan (Press Back Office): 07466114387

Universities@animalrebellion.org

Notes To Editors:

[1] https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/news/article/6013/Your-General-Meeting-November-2022/

[2] https://animalrebellion.org/introducing-plant-based-universities/ and https://animalrebellion.org/students-nationwide-launch-100-plant-based-universities-campaign-for-sustainability/ 

[3] https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/31/berlins-university-canteens-go-almost-meat-free-as-students-prioritise-climate&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1668352302580948&usg=AOvVaw0I-lIIxUJKKaET6kwVOU7u 

[4] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaq0216

[5] https://animal.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/Eating-Away-at-Climate-Change-with-Negative-Emissions%E2%80%93%E2%80%93Harwatt-Hayek.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0qbRS0IuKp4JG0AzXXb5P73osdgnYJ3VBJir88YBpMlajmJg0riNVJFMg

The post George Monbiot Announces Support For Plant-Based Universities: University Of Stirling Students Union Votes ‘Yes’ To Going 100% Plant-Based first appeared on Animal Rebellion.

From 5:00 am today, groups of Animal Rebellion supporters stopped and climbed company trucks outside facilities, whilst others trespassed inside company facilities, climbing up onto milk silos and the sites’ loading bays. This comes after the group received no response to a letter delivered to Downing Street in August, warning of disruptive action in September unless progress towards their demands was made [3].

John Appleton, a father and former employee of the dairy company Arla for six years and who is part of the disruption, said: “I’ve seen this industry first hand; I know the struggle that farmers and workers go through every single day. We need a food system that works for them, everyone else, and nonhuman animals. Governmental support for this is vital to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies. We know the twin solution: transition to a plant-based food system and a mass rewilding programme.”

Animal Rebellion has stated that its supporters will continue to take nonviolent direct action until the British Government enters negotiations for its two demands:

1. Government supports farmers and fishing communities to move away from animal farming and fishing as part of an urgent and immediate transition to a plant-based food system.

2. Government commits to rewild the freed-up land and ocean as part of a broader programme of wildlife restoration and carbon drawdown.

In 2018, comprehensive research from the University of Oxford showed that 76% of the land currently used for food production would be freed-up by a global transition to plant-based production [4]. This land could be rewilded and begin carbon drawdown, mitigating the worst impacts of climate breakdown. A 2019 Harvard University report on UK farmland and food production from Helen Harwatt and Matthew N. Hayek also concluded that the UK would be carbon-negative if it completely transitioned to a plant-based food system [5].

Steve Bone, a father and photographer from Thorpe-le-Soken, who is taking action today said: “A plant-based future would restore the British countryside and all the wonderful nature lost to animal farming.  Farmers can, and should, be supported in the necessary transition to plant-based production. A plant-based future would enable massive carbon drawdown and mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis. We are offering the solution; our government needs to take it”

The action today comes as part of Animal Rebellion’s demands for a plant-based future, which were announced on Monday 23rd of May [6]. The animal and climate group is urging wholesale governmental support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system and programme of rewilding that will secure a future for generations to come. 

Animal Rebellion is a mass movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to call for a just, sustainable plant-based food system. 

ENDS

Word Count: 530

High-quality pictures and videos: https://show.pics.io/plant-based-future 

For interviews or further comments please contact:

Nathan (Press Back Office): 07466114387

Jax (Press Back Office): 07424947798

pressoffice@animalrebellion.org

Notes To Editors:

[1] https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/overview/arla-in-the-uk/aylesbury/key-facts/ 

[2] The sites where actions are taking place are 1. Arla Aylesbury, HP22 5EZ 2. Müller Droitwich, WR9 0LW 3. Müller Severnside, GL10 2DG, 4. Müller Bridgwater, TA6 6DF.

[3] https://animalrebellion.org/supporters-of-animal-rebellion-deliver-demands-for-a-plant-based-future-to-downing-street/ 

[4] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaq0216

[5] https://animal.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/Eating-Away-at-Climate-Change-with-Negative-Emissions%E2%80%93%E2%80%93Harwatt-Hayek.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0qbRS0IuKp4JG0AzXXb5P73osdgnYJ3VBJir88YBpMlajmJg0riNVJFMg 

[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOq2Jqqga9E&t=5s

The post Milk Supply To Midlands And South Of England Cut Off As Animal Rebellion Supporters Blockade 4 Key Dairy Distribution Centres first appeared on Animal Rebellion.