Renowned for promoting social justice and sustainability issues, and with all profits donated to charity, the ethos of the Roskilde Festival is that a festival can trigger and reinforce a social movement of young people who want something more than just themselves.
“We are facing big environmental challenges today and we need big solutions. Going meat free one day a week will take us a long way,” said Paul McCartney. “Denmark is a very environmental conscious country, so I would urge people at Roskilde Festival and beyond to give a meat free day a go. It’s easy, tasty and good for the planet.”
With the slogan “Stop Global Shawarming” Paul’s friends from the Danish Meat Free Monday campaigns – Kødfri Mandag and MeatFree Mondays Denmark – will serve meat free shawarma from 6.30 to 7.30 pm at ‘The Judges Tower’. As well as providing an opportunity for guests to try a tasty meat free meal, the aim is to raise awareness of the importance of meat reduction.
“If we truly care about sustainability we need to eat less meat,” said David Pedersen of Danish MFM campaign Kødfri Mandag. “Our neighbours in Sweden know this and 40% of municipalities have now adopted meat free days. Denmark would be wise to follow suit and we need a serious political debate about the issue, so we can get the ball rolling.”
According to the UN, livestock production is one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. Reducing our meat intake can also lower the risk of getting cancer and heart disease, and therefore benefit public health, according to the Danish Cancer Association (Kræftens Bekæmpelse).
Paul plays tonight at 10 pm on the Orange stage.