Harvard’s Environmental Action Committee introduced a national campaign called “Veguary Challenge” to encourage students to eat less red meat in February. The consumption of animal products, especially meat, can have a great effect on one’s health, as well as the environment.

According to The Crimson, EAC co-Chair Naomi G. Asimow noted that animal agriculture is linked to the increasing number of methane emissions and the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest. She continued by stating, “We’d like to raise enough awareness of the issue that students will continue to be conscious of their meat consumption beyond the month of February.”

Frank B. Hu – a professor at the School of Public Health – recommends that people should cut down red meat consumption since it can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. Those cutting down should also find a healthy protein alternative; it’s crucial for your health!

Assistant professor and environmental health researcher at HSPH, Gary Adamkiewicz said, “Beef production in excess is an inefficient way to feed the planet due to its larger footprint, which requires a disproportionate amount of carbon, water, feed grain, and land.”

‘Veguary’ lasts only a month, but hopefully it will make students aware that consuming meat can have a significant impact on our environment. Cutting back, even a little bit, can greatly reduce our environmental footprints.

Asimow’s goal is to reduce the overall amount of meat in the dining halls. She said, “We don’t have control over the type of meat we eat because we all eat in the dining hall, so for us the best thing we could do is to eat less meat.”

We only have one Earth, let’s make it last. Go meatless!