Wanted: Our Climate Crisis Soundtrack
GETTING ONSIDE: A rally in Toronto outside the first debate of the 2019 federal election campaign. Young protesters urged party leaders to support a Green New Deal for Canada, and chanted: “No…
Letter from Yemen
A yellowing letter, more than 50 years old, is framed on my study wall. It’s a reminder of the confounding gap between a country’s aspirations for its citizens and the political conditions…
Strategic Effort + Hope = Victory
This wartime campaign inspired action and hope in the UK. Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May inspired me today. She was quoted in an article* saying that Canada, vis-a-vis climate change,…
Vegetarian Meals Can Be the Default
I heard some exciting news from an activist who is part of the worldwide group Global Meatfree Monday: A Swedish university has now made vegetarian its default meal option. Meatless meals are…
We Bring Our Own Containers to Take Home Leftovers
On my first date with a certain man, he took me to a lovely Italian restaurant. We had a great time, with excellent conversation and food. But at the end of the…
What Diets are ‘Sustainable’? Here’s the Best Report Yet
What are ‘sustainable diets?’ How much meat, dairy and processed foods can we eat within planetary limits? A new report outlines the answers to those and other foodie questions in the clearest…
A Bold Vision: Humane Agriculture and Climate Stability
I was honoured this month to be asked to join international signatories on a letter outlining a Vision for Fair Farming. The letter will go to the prestigious science journal Nature, from…
Why Don’t More People Know?
It’s late Summer 2018, and I’ve just made a video-conference presentation to a national environmental group on the topic of meat. This group does excellent work opposing coal and other non-renewable energy,…
Food Fights Funny? Here’s a Different Thought
The “Top Ten Greatest Food Fights in Movies” That’s the title of the Youtube video I just watched. Actually, after 29 seconds I pressed Stop, having seen plenty. Besides, if food fights…
Climate Change is a Health Issue: Public Health Association of BC
This week I had the opportunity to speak to the Summer School of the Public Health Association of B.C., on ways we can improve food production and consumption to minimize greenhouse gas…
China (Yes, China) is Showing Leadership on Meat Reduction
China has a reputation for creating environmental problems, not solving them. But the country is demonstrating amazing global leadership in encouraging its citizens to cut their meat consumption in half. China is demonstrating…
Meatless Monday Gets Thumbs-Up from Vancouver Food Policy Council
The debate wasn’t even contentious. Last month, the Vancouver Food Policy Council (VFPC) voted to support the concept of Meatless Monday and encourage residents to cut back on their consumption of animal-source…