Veganuary, the global organisation which encourages people to eat vegan in January and beyond, has today published a joint letter signed by international superstars, politicians, NGOs and businesses calling on everyone to help fight climate chaos and prevent future pandemics by changing their diet.
The international signatories include Ricky Gervais, Sara Pascoe, Alan Cumming, Lily Cole, Deborah Meaden, Chrissie Hynde, Bryan Adams, Jeff Beck and Meat Free Monday’s very own Paul McCartney.
The joint letter sets out the very clear connection between climate change, global pandemics and our consumption of animal products. But it also offers hope for a better future, urging everyone “to go into 2021 with positivity and a determination to do all we can to protect our planet, its wild spaces and the health and wellbeing of all its inhabitants. To do that we must change our diets”.
Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s International Head of Communications, says: “2020 has brought much hardship and heartbreak, but it has also given us an opportunity to change and build a better future. Our united message is one of hope – but we must all act now.”
Chris Packham, letter signatory and Veganuary Ambassador, agrees saying: “Trashing the planet does none of us any good, as the coronavirus pandemic shows all too clearly. But we can emerge from this stronger and wiser, with a renewed commitment to protecting the environment, its inhabitants and our own futures. Being vegan is a great way to support the natural world and to live sustainably.”
The joint letter ends with a direct call to action: “Today, we are urging everyone to help build a better future by signing up to try vegan this January with Veganuary. Together, we can create a world that is kinder and safer for all.”