Meat-free meals

Food production is a source of environmental problems, ranging from air and water pollution to the loss of soil and biodiversity. Meat production is especially harmful, since it requires a disproportionate amount of water and land. Reducing our meat consumption will protect nature for future generations.

Essential Facts:

• Canadians eat more than twice as much meat as the global average. Along with Australia and the United States, we consume more meat per person than every other country in the world. In 2000, we consumed 99.8kg of meat per person, which amounts to a daily consumption of about 10oz (275g).

• An Oxford University study showed that in comparison to meat eaters, vegetarians had a 24 per cent reduction in mortality from heart disease even when other lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercise, and socio-economic class were taken into account.

• Another reason to reduce meat intake is to limit your exposure to chemicals and antibiotics fed to livestock. For yummy vegetarian recipes, check out our Nature Challenge newsletter on meat-free meals.

Download the Green Guide (PDF)
Download the Science of the Challenge. (PDF)