By Mason Fitzpatrick
Recent reports from climate panels and experts have painted a harrowing picture of the future of our climate. A recent IPCC report stated that, “limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.” Humans are inevitably slow to make these necessary changes, but Green Monday is a Hong Kong based organization trying to catalyze them. With a hybrid of for-profit restaurant partnerships and sustainable consulting, and non-profit advocacy and outreach, they hope to make sustainable living “viral and actionable.”
When we talk about actions individuals can take in curbing climate change, we often jump to things like public transport, recycling, and turning the lights off more often. These are all important aspects, supported by climate scientists, but they skirt around certain larger issues. According to 2006 report by FAO, the meat we consume add more greenhouse gases–carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide etc–into the atmosphere than either transportation or industry.” The livestock industry is responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, and the production and distribution of meat is dramatically less efficient than that of plant-based alternatives, both in terms of carbon footprint and water consumption. It is estimated that one acre of soybean growth can feed 3,320 people, while an acre of cattle feeds only 180.
Of course, giving up meat is a significantly greater sacrifice for many–it’s an integral part of most cultures. Green Monday recognizes this, and aims to make such adjustments more popular, feasible, and accessible. Their aim is to, “embrace the positive adoption of green practices rather than refraining people from meat consumption.”
Green Monday provides a variety of services to a variety of stakeholders. University Alliances and the Green Knowledge & Research Center aim to raise awareness and support for the movement. To supplement these campaigns, Green Monday engages in a number of more tangible activities including consulting, PR, and marketing services to companies implementing green or corporate social responsibility initiatives, running a venture capital firm that invests in sustainable technology, developing Asia’s first plant-based grocer, and partnering with over 1000 restaurants, “offering unique dishes to lead a new trend of green and healthy dining.” Clients range from Google to Columbia University, from the United States Embassy to pizza chains in Hong Kong. This network of services allow the organization to not simply educate or advocate against meat consumption, but to spark a broad societal push in favor of more sustainable lifestyles.
The primary goal of Green Monday is not for everyone to become vegetarians overnight, but for everyone to have an awareness of the implications of their dietary decisions, and to adjust accordingly. They call for people to choose not to eat meat every Monday for a year, and they estimate that if just 22% of the Hong Kong population followed these, “flexitarian” guidelines, it would prevent 900,000 tons of carbon emissions and save 375 billion liters of water.
“Unprecedented changes in all aspects of society,” does not imply simple fixes. This battle against climate change is arduous, complex, and requires societal changes. Green Monday, as demonstrated by their advocacy and investment, understands the nuance of this issue, and approaches it in a way that is accessible, far reaching, and financially and environmentally sustainable.
