I used to think vegetarians and vegans were all crazy. I mean, who on earth would pass up eating a juicy steak or a crispy chicken wing?

Someone who knows their facts, that’s who.

It turns out that simply by eating less red meat, we can save a lot of greenhouse gases. Going completely vegan can save more greenhouse gases than using a hybrid electric car. The reason is livestock belch out methane and nitrous oxide (both potent greenhouse gases). Large quantities of energy are also required for food processing, to grow feed crops, etc.

Sustainabilty consultant and creator of a greenhouse gas calculator, Ben Rose, worked out the amount of carbon dioxide (Kg) that is emitted per kilogram of food below.

• Fresh local fruit and vegetables - 0.6 Kg
• Dried fruit and nuts - 2.4 Kg
• Chicken - 3.5 Kg
• Beef and Cheeses - 12.0 Kg

What impact does the simple cheeseburger have on the planet? Jamais Cascio (co-founder of www.worldchanging.com) calculated that every time you buy a cheeseburger from a fast food outlet you are emitting anywhere between 3.6 Kg and 6.1 Kg of CO2. This is due to all the processes that were involved to get the burger in front of you (clearing the land for the cattle, growing the feed for the cattle, storing and transporting the components as well as cooking and packaging). In America, the greenhouse gas emissions arising every year from the production and consumption of cheeseburgers is roughly the amount emitted by 13 million SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicle). Cascio’s calculations show us that every action we take (even the smallest ones) can have unexpectedly profound consequences.

Do I still think vegetarians and vegans are all crazy? No way. I have newfound respect for vegetarians and vegans, and am inspired by the way they tread lightly on our precious planet.