Estimate: over the past 10 years, more than 55,000 tonnes of annual carbon emissions were saved—equivalent to 82,000 fewer people taking return flights from London to New York City every year.1
Source: Catholics’ Meatless Fridays Benefit the Planet
In 2011, Catholic bishops in England and Wales called on their parishioners to reduce the amount of meat eaten on Fridays. The announcement was in fact a reimplementation of a very old declaration dating back to the ninth century that had been lifted in 1966. Skipping meat once per week was seen as a form of penance and a way to remember and honor Jesus Christ’s death.
Just over one quarter (28%) of Catholics complied, adjusting their dietary habits in various ways. Some gave up meat altogether on Fridays, while others reduced it. A new study from the University of Cambridge, titled “Food for the Soul and the Planet: Measuring the Impact of the Return of Meatless Fridays for (Some) UK Catholics,” has now assessed the impact of this shift, estimating that over the past 10 years, more than 55,000 tonnes of annual carbon emissions were saved—equivalent to 82,000 fewer people taking return flights from London to New York City every year.1
At a time when many individuals and leaders are seeking ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and effectively, while navigating the inherent complexities of influencing human behavior in ways that do not spark resentment among a population or suggest inappropriate overreach, this research offers some valuable insights.
As explained in the introduction, its aim was to look at “the consequences of behavioural change from a sub-group of people within a society and how these consequences can manifest in potentially large environmental benefits, especially over time.”
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