Berkeley has become the first US city to take a stance to commit to fully vegan meals. The Berkeley City Council has passed a resolution this week to eliminate the consumption of animal products. Until 2024, Berkeley aims to reduce the amount of animal products by 50 per cent.
The City Manager will report the progress on the target to the City Council by January 31, 2022. For a long-term goal, the resolution aims to put a full-stop on the purchase of animal products and replace them with plant-based foods.
Besides, the City Manager will report the feasibility and timeline of the long-term goal to Council by June 30, 2022. The prime reason for Berkeley to opt for this step is the need to put a check on global climate crisis.
That’s why the US City is working to replace animal products with plant-based foods. With this resolution, there will be a supply of plant-based meals at major city supplied places. Summer camps, senior citizens, and the Berkeley City Jail are the popular places where this will be implemented.
Berkeley – A Leader in Addressing Climate Change
Berkeley has become a leader in addressing the climate change issue. To act on this subject, the US City has passed and implemented numerous measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Hence, it is working to improve the environmental quality of its community, region, and world. As per the resolution, animal food products are responsible for the release of 25% of global GHG emissions and majority of emissions in Berkeley.
For the world to meet the global GHG reduction targets, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of animal products. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the nations like the US to act sternly on this subject. It is because they consume 2.6 times more meat than the rest of the countries.
Resolution is a Result of Efforts by Animal-Rights Groups
Berkeley Major Jesse Arreguin and Council member Sophie Hahn authored the resolution. And it was resulted due to the advocacy by a cluster of a group of animal-rights groups. The names are Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), Extinction Rebellion Oakland, East Bay Animal PAC, The Animal Save Movement, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and The Suitcase Clinic.
Berkeley Mayor Arreguin believes it is a significant step by the city to combat climate change. Moreover, it will also start a tradition to treat animals in a humane fashion. Berkeley had also taken many vegan initiatives in the past.
