Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: The Green Movement's Dirty Little Secret

It wasn't very long ago that I found myself huddled in the corner at a particularly fancy, über exclusive green-themed party in the trendy meatpacking district of New York City. I won't say who was throwing the bash, but they're a leader in the green industry and have a solid track record for establishing effective change in the movement.

It was clear that while planning the party, this particular group had been quite thoughtful -- meticulous, even -- in making sure that each and every aspect of the event was environmentally kosher.

The CFL light bulbs were responsibly hung and complimented the sustainable furniture, neatly scattered throughout the efficiently air-conditioned space. The staff wore fair-trade, organic cotton t-shirts proudly displaying the organization's logo in crisp, soy-based ink. Even the invitation was up to par -- embossed with those six hypnotizing words: "Printed on 100 percent recycled paper." Yes, at first glance one might think that Mother Nature herself had blessed this sustainable soiree.

And then the hors d'oeuvres were passed.

Resting stylishly on recycled bamboo serving platters sat a ménage of beef tartar, pork belly something-or-other and a trilogy of pungent unidentifiable cheeses. I felt my eyes begin to roll.

The onset of attitude was two-fold: First, I am a vegan of almost nine years and it was obvious that the growling noises clamoring from my stomach would be competing with the beat of the house music for the rest of the evening. Secondly, I was frustrated that nobody on staff had made the seemingly obvious, absolutely critical connection between what we eat and the health of our planet.

With buckets of scientific evidence proving that animal products cause infinitely more harm to the environment than their plant-based counterparts, I was shocked to witness this menu served at an eco-conscious event by a company with a genuine stake in sustainability.

The dangers of animal production are no secret. In 2006 the U.N. released a report stating that raising animals for food generates more greenhouses gases and contributes more to global warming than every mode of transportation in the world combined!

Producing more methane and nitrous oxide than any other industry in the world, animal agriculture is to sustainability as Kanye West is to humility. Deforestation, mass pollution, and soil erosion are all symptoms of our society's method of raising animals for food. And then of course there's the undeniable fact that animal production simply requires more resources.

In the early nineties, the Water Education Foundation in Sacramento -- a non-profit that prides itself on being "the only impartial organization to develop and implement educational programs leading to a broader understanding of water issues" -- worked with the University of California on a study that found it takes 2,464 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. To compare, it takes 15 gallons to produce one pound of lettuce and 30 gallons for one pound of potatoes.

Assuming there were 300 people at the party in question, and 38 pounds of beef were purchased to create single 1-ounce servings of tartar for each guest, that would mean 93,632 gallons of water were used for beef alone -- and that's not including second or third helpings.

How does this translate to everyday water usage? Consider this: current federal regulations mandate that new shower heads must exceed no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. A little number crunch on the old calculator will unveil that you could take 7,490 5-minute showers with the same amount of water used to create this one appetizer -- that's one shower a day for more than 20 years.

My point in playing math teacher is not to discredit this group's fine work or to discount the important steps they did take to throw an eco-friendly bash. Environmentalism isn't only about food and I certainly applaud their valiant attempt to create a planet-pleasing party. I choose to dissect the menu only to reveal that even the most conscious environmental organizations have still not yet fully accepted -- or at least put into practice -- the fact that eating lower on the food chain is a critical step to creating a more sustainable planet.

At a recent concert in Sweden, Moby asked Al Gore why he didn't mention the heavy environmental impact of animal production in his film An Inconvenient Truth.

"He answered honestly," recounts Moby, "basically saying that getting people to drive a hybrid car isn't that difficult. Getting people to give up animal products is almost impossible."

I agree. However, I also argue that the greatness of our world and the potential of the human race is only truly revealed when the "almost impossible" is achieved.

One hundred years ago a woman's right to vote was "almost impossible." Fifty years later the thought of an African-American man becoming President of the United States was "almost impossible." 20 years after that, the idea that a small box with a processor and a screen would redefine our culture and forever change the way we receive information was... well, "almost impossible."

And yet each of these "almost impossible" ideas sprouted and blossomed into magnificent truths, leaving many to wonder why they were ever so hard to imagine in the first place.

If we as a society are willing to recognize that our purchases and lifestyle choices have an impact on the planet, then we must also recognize that our sandwiches do too. Like the delicate tartar or the peppered pork belly served that evening, change also comes from a recipe: one part education mixed with two parts action. And it's our responsibility to get cooking - even if sometimes it seems "almost impossible."

Comments

[Kaviraj]

Our garbage cans get more calories in a day than most Africans get in a month.

[PRONESE]

Water
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Covers 70% of the Earths surface. Mother Nature makes water available in a number of ways. It even falls from the sky on ocassion.
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All animals seek water, as it is a necessity of life. We as humans bring the water to where we need it.
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Posish!
*
R/ PRONESE

[PhilipB]

"Change also comes from a recipe: one part education mixed with two parts action. And it's our responsibility to get cooking"
It was this line of this post that really caught my attention.
I have been involved with habitat restoration and recycling in my community. I have blogged about it. I also am obsessed with cooking. It started last April when I was laid off, but I am following my interests,(my bliss) and cooking is certainly big for me right now. I have focussed on classic techniques and technical ability, as well as flavor and international cuisine; I want to know it all.
Now, with vegan recipes, I know nothing.: nothing at all. I so appreciated Veganessa who directed me to some great places to explore and learn.
Now, I am not going to pre-judge vegan cuisine before I have examined it. I would certainly agree that good nutrition should not be sacrificed, and neither exciting taste and flavor.
This discussion is only helpful to caterers and chefs for events if they have some idea of what else to do, practically.
This examination of food, along with chefs and home cooks examining new ways of ingredients will revolutionize how we eat, and will spark creativity for chefs to save the planet without sacrificing anything in innovative dishes and delicious taste.
Hey, do you have a vegan recipe?
Thanks so much, and best to you!
Philip

[effitol]

Michael - I hear what you’re saying but what are you talking about. What is veganism or for that matter vegetarianism or omnivorism anyway? They’re just words that identify, package and polarize- conveniently.

What is with this addiction to labels, brands, monikers in America? What ever happened to moderation? It was trampled by “extreme”, “radical” and “awesome”.

Nowhere in the world is food as over-marketed, exploited and under-appreciated as it is in the US. Is Big Food business is the “enemy” that you think a Veganista Army can conquer? You’re wearing blinders.

If you’re really concerned about our well being then concentrate on real- not “extreme” solutions- compromise for the best for all.

Animal production- especially in America can certainly be made more sustainable.

Stop your gluttonous wasteful pretentious lifestyles.

Eat more locally and seasonally.

Support negative-population growth.

If you want math- the average American wastes over 470 pounds of food per capita, per year (that includes veggies). America could live on what they throw in the garbage! Stop it.

By the way- we’re not saving the planet, the planet will be fine. “Eco-friendly” isn’t the issue. “Human-friendly” should be.

[PhilipB]

I agree with your point of view.
Now, lets gets to basics.
Practical things, not just ideas are needed. Do not assume anything. i found that in recycling, the households I met with had all the "ideas", but little of the hands on practical information about each and every item they threw away. Again, never assume. People need to know specifics. They just do, and that is a face to face, or a practical approach that works.
The same thing is with cooking.
Practical, hands-on recipes, not just ideas changes things.
Or in another way, the edible schoolyard, where children grow their lunch and incorporate this in history, geography and other lesson plans, as well as preparing food(both boys and girls) is a hands on approach that makes sense for the children, rather than being "told".
I do think that in a "green" event, that we should not dismiss a party, a"breaking of bread", the ritual of food as celebration. This speaks to the human condition, and hospitality shown in every culture.

I incorporate many kinds of foods in my cooking, but I am concerned by poison in produce, the hormones and anti-biotics in meat. I am concerned about the mass production of meat, and the rapacious viruses that come out of these global factory farms.

In this case ideas and practical applications must be considered and explored. There is room, I see for innovation, and a unification of what may only now seem as differing views.

[RMankovitz]

I support those who desire to follow a vegan lifestyle, or any other lifestyle intended to minimize the impact on our environment.

Personally, I am experimenting with a different eating plan that my research has shown to be the most sustainable on the planet. It is designed by nature. Some people still remember her - she evolved us.

Using the numbers in this article for water usage, it supposedly takes 2,464 gallons of water to produce one pound of grain-fed beef (116 gm of protein), 15 gallons to produce one pound of lettuce (4 gm of protein) and 30 gallons for one pound of potatoes (11 gm of protein). I like to use protein as a measure, to provide more meaningful comparisons of the nutritional value of various foods. The eating plan I follow can yield 116 gm of protein for zero gallons of water usage.

Unlike the annual monocrops such as wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, and soy, that are the staple of many vegan diets, my eating plan does not use any artificial pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural machinery that mangles millions of ground-living animals and consumes enormous amounts of diesel fuel, or GM seeds; and respects the ethical treatment of both animals and plants.

There have been no formal sustainability studies on my eating plan (described in "The Wellness Project"), so I am in the process of self-funding a university study on the subject.

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[PhilipB]

Thank you for posting, I am just beginning to explore this, and appreciate your thoughts.
Regards,

[PhilipB]

Can anyone recommend your favorite vegan cookbook? Or better yet, online recipes?
I would sincerely appreciate it. I would like to explore a vegan diet, and I am not sure where to begin.
Thanks!!!
I hope somebody responds with some positive ideas, and your thoughts on vegan recipes and flavor, etc.
All the best!

[effitol]

Why don't you hold off on the cookbooks and explore a vegan diet first? Find out exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you go all trail mix and tofu on us.

Where are you going to get your complete proteins from? How about your B12 and calcium?

You might want to ease yourself into it to. Please, Please, Please do your homework.

Maybe just think about reducing your animal intake while increasing your vegetable intake, as most of us should.

[PhilipB]

Hi!
Well, I KNOW THAT, silly . What I want is recipes.
I like good food, and I would like to know more about vegan recipes, and discussions on flavor, taste, etc..
Thanks anyway, but if you have a great recipe to share, I would love it!
All the best to you, and I hope you do not mind I called you silly. It was meant affectionately.
Best,
Philip

[Veganessa]

PhilipB,

I would recommend starting with vegweb.com I have no affiliation with them but use the website religiously. I've been vegan for over 12 years and am perfectly healthy and still in love with food. Anyway, with vegweb you can search through thousands of recipes. I always pay attention to the reviews and suggestions that people make.
If you really want to get a cookbook, here are my thoughts:
If you like to cook and don't love the faux meats, then I would get Veganomicon.
If you don't like to cook and want food that resembles the american diet but is just a veggie version, I would try Skinny Bitch in the Kitch.
If you are a manly man, I would go for the Engine 2 Diet. Its the diet and cook book of fire fighters in Texas. Very Manly!

Thanks for being so open minded as you read this post. Its nice when people don't feel the need to be immediately judgmental.

[PhilipB]

LOVE. love, love your response! That is exactly what I was after.
Fanned.
Veganessa, great info, and yes, I admit, I do enjoy what could be known as "manly" food as you described, so I look forward to examining new ways to cook: recipes that are healthy, help the planet and are just quite tasty!
How fun! How great of you to share this link and great info. I really appreciate it.
Very best regards,
Philip

[apasolini]

I think Mr Gore's answer to Moby is very disingenious and self-serving. As an activist/public figure, you don't edit out an important truth to make your overall spiel more 'attractive'. You have to say the whole truth and let the public decide for themselves what they want to take on board. Going vegan is a lot easier than the Al Gores of the world would have us believe.

[effitol]

#1 Keep your politics out of my food- and that goes for you too Michael.

#2 I’ve worked in the food business my whole life and I’ve known at least 30 or so (that I can think of right now) friends, family and colleagues that have attempted veganism at some time in their lives. Some lasted a few weeks, some a few years and the longest was about 10 years. The thing is--- every one of them cheated. I witnessed or heard stories of every single one of them “falling off the wagon” from time to time. The saddest story is of a couple who tried to raise their newborn son on a strictly vegan diet until the age 4 when they began to notice developmental disorders. Some of which were due to the fact that his mother had maintained a vegan diet during the pregnancy. If she’d just had an egg, a piece of cheese or a bowl of chili once in a while.

#3 I’m all for a more vegetable and grain rich diet with smaller portions of animal protein. Humans can only efficiently metabolize up to 4 ounces of red meat per 8 hours anyway. I also love animals and support humane treatment- actively.

But this Vegan stuff is reactionary, unnatural, untrue and in my experience potentially dangerous.

[StoryTime]

The "animal protein" thing is a myth
There's plenty of protein in any food you eat, just have to eat divers foods

One great is Carl Lewis, here he is talking about his vegan diet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOTETXwfIaY

[Elaine Replogle]

Love this piece. I find it terribly ironic, however, that most people I've met who are "into" veganism or the environment or the ethical treatment of animals are rather, uh, wealthy. I think we all need to remember that it's the poorest in our society who are often NOT as able to make these choices, and to be tolerant of their habits. (The wealthiest have no excuse, other than culture and habit.)

[vaygun]

I'm very poor. As in I have four dollars to my name until next payday, which is in a week. I eat lentils and rice almost every day. That's 100% vegan, and cheaper than any cheap meat.

[effitol]

If you had more money would you include any animal protein in your lentils & rice?

[effitol]

I have to laugh at your observation on the wealthy.

Would someone please name any indigenous purely vegan (not vegetarian) culture anywhere in the world? Please just name one!

There are none! The closest thing are the native peoples in the wealthy “jungles” of America. That’s the only place on earth where true pure voluntary veganism exists- I wonder why that is- hummm.

[Kaviraj]

They also hunt or fish, so your story is not even true.

[Christopher Greenslate]

To be an omnivore is a choice, one that, as currently practiced by the majority of people, is helping to finish off the earth for good.

[Roryfreedman]

Stunningly written piece, Michael, thank you.

I never thought I could give up meat. Yet, after a few weeks, my taste buds changed, my brain changed, and my food desires changed. Going vegetarian, then vegan, were the two best decisions I've ever made.

The fact that a vegan diet is the healthiest choice for humans, the most compassionate choice for animals, and the most environmental choice for our planet is no coincidence.

[Suasoria]

Being an omnivore just means we have a choice. Choosing to eat and live sustainably, consciously and compassionately is the right choice for ourselves and our fellow Earthlings. Period.

[peterg76]

There is massive ecological extravagance in the meat industry, but that doesn't change the fact the humans are omnivores.

[Kaviraj]

Humans are not omnivores by design but by choice. They have this choice only since the invention of the fridge. Before that time, meat was not an option because it could not be kept, unless salted, smoked or dried. That happened only a a few societies.