A film by Holly Cecil
This 55-minute documentary was produced as a course project in the Human Dimensions of Climate Change interdisciplinary program, and won the 2013 University of Victoria Sustainability Project Award.

Livestock agriculture is responsible for approximately 15% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, topping emissions from all forms of transportation worldwide combined. Climate scientists propose a dietary reduction in animal products as one of the single largest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. Worldwide, initiatives such as Meatless Mondays in 36 countries are impelling a sea change in the way we think about food and its environmental impacts.

This film challenges our culture’s “blind spot” in ignoring the high costs of animal agriculture, in environmental degradation, animal suffering and human health. It asks why Canadian government initiatives on climate change ignore the role of diet, and perpetuate an inaccurate reporting structure that under-represents greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. It includes interviews with several Canadians such as Elizabeth May OC MP, Leader of Canada’s Green Party, who each discuss the benefits of increasing levels of reduction: from ‘locavores’ and flexitarians to vegetarians to vegans.

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Film script and full research citations PDF here.

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Meatless Monday at St. Margaret’s School, Canada
In the 2013-14 academic year, students and teachers at St. Margaret’s School in Victoria, BC (west coast of Canada) implemented Meatless Mondays, promoting it as an effective way to combine healthy meals and minimize environmental impact and our carbon footprint.

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The next video introduces the school administrator who helped realize the implementation, students and cafeteria menus.

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