Plant-Based Cambridge

Better for the planet AND better for the university's coffers 🙌 Plant-based meals are on average 30% cheaper than meat-based meals, according to new research published this week by Bryant Research. And that's on top of an 84% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that would come from transitioning to plant-based catering. Cheaper AND more sustainable. 🌍 Positive for profits AND the planet. 🤑 Universities should make the self-interested choice and implement fully plant-based menus. #climatecrisis #environment (Image credit: Monstera Productions)

Not only can universities reduce their environmental impact by switching to plant-based catering, but they can also save a lot of money!

This is the year University of Cambridge makes its catering truly sustainable 👊 [manifesting 😅 ] Plant-Based Cambridge has had the privilege of working with many people across the university who are committed to sustainable and accessible food, including catering managers, academics, college staff and students. Now, big things are happening: - We had some great conversations with new students at this year's Cambridge SU Freshers' Fair 🤗 - We have an exciting term card, including a plant-based formal, a book discussion group, film screening, and a training and teambuilding day at an animal sanctuary 🐷 - And, most importantly, the university's catering is getting more and more sustainable, notably the Whale Café, which now has a fully plant-based menu 🐳 If you are a Cambridge student (past or present), academic or staff, passionate about improving food sustainability, get in touch today! 👋

🗞️Here's your September edition of Research at Cambridge! Read on for surprising truths about your carbon footprint, the perils of meat-eating, and the power of boosting empathy. 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) could soon stop promoting meat 😱 Wait, what?! The world's oldest animal protection charity encourages people to eat animals? Yes, it does. The RSPCA Assured scheme misleads shoppers to sell the myth of cruelty-free meat, fish, eggs and dairy. It also contradicts the organisation's own mission statement: "We exist to inspire everyone to create a better world for every animal" 🧐 Every animal, huh? Thankfully, pressure is growing on the RSPCA to end its Assured scheme. Tireless campaigning from animal advocates, notably from Animal Rising and Animal Justice Project, has exposed the public to the routine suffering on supposedly high-welfare farms. For now, the RSPCA is going round in circles trying to justify the injustifiable 🙃 Instead, it should assure consumers that: - the animal on your plate did not want to die. - sentient beings suffered horribly to produce every bite of your meal. - there are alternatives with far less cruelty to animals... namely, plants 🌱 The RSPCA could play a crucial role in the transition towards a plant-based future. As soon as it drops the rotten Assured scheme. 📷 Screenshot from the homepage of the RSPCA website.

Food for thought... What if we could see emissions? Would it change what we eat? (data in comments) #sustainability #vegan #plantbased

As a new academic year rolls in, Plant-Based Cambridge is ready to make a splash 🌊 Since 2022, student campaigners have led the push for sustainable food across the University of Cambridge: - The Cambridge SU voted last year to implement fully plant-based catering at all internal meetings and events 💪 - PBCam was again shortlisted for a Campaign Impact Award 🏅 - And a new team of students got involved to bring this prestigious old uni into the 21st century 🎓 Now in its third year, Plant-Based Cambridge is just getting started. Students 🙆, staff 👨🏫 and alumni 👩🎓 can all be part of this transition to more sustainable catering. Find out more and join the community at link in comments.

We’re so lucky that this is the case

Just two slices of ham a day could be enough to raise your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 15% over the next 10 years. By studying data from 2 million people, researchers at MRC Epidemiology Unit found that red and processed meat consumption was linked to a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Knowledge without action is senseless. In a climate crisis, it is also dangerous. Since its founding in 2021, the Plant-Based Universities movement has urged universities to act on their own climate science. The evidence is abundantly clear: Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is also responsible for at least 16.5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. A plant-based food system can change the world 🌱 Now, a study in Nature Climate Change (link in comments) has concluded that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is "much more about how fast climate policy ambition can be ramped up" than about new technological advances. In other words, we already have the tools we need. It's time to use them. P.S. Exciting things are happening at the University of Cambridge. Follow Plant-Based Cambridge to stay in the know 👀