Advocates Push for Plant-Based Options as 2028 Approaches
In September 2023, Los Angeles reached a notable milestone by hosting its first Climate Week, a series of events that underscored the city’s dedication to tackling the climate crisis. Every meal served throughout the week was exclusively vegan, showcasing LA’s commitment to sustainable living. As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics, a provocative question emerges: could Los Angeles become the first city to host entirely plant-based Olympic Games?
The push for a vegan Olympics resonates particularly well at this moment. Paris, ahead of its 2024 Games, has already made strides by expanding its vegan food offerings to support climate initiatives. Yet, the effectiveness of such actions in addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face remains a topic of debate.
The Impact of Animal Agriculture on the Environment
The livestock industry plays a significant role in exacerbating the climate crisis, generating about 16.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Research from the University of Colorado reveals that animal agriculture is responsible for a striking 65 percent of the world’s nitrous oxide emissions, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential 296 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Despite these staggering figures, public awareness regarding the connection between diets heavy in animal products and climate change remains alarmingly low. Los Angeles is uniquely positioned to help bridge this knowledge gap.
Envisioning a vegan Olympics could build on recent progressive policies in the city. In July, West Hollywood pledged to shift to plant-based catering for all municipal events, drawing on findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that indicate plant-based meals generally boast a carbon footprint 63 percent lower than those that include meat and dairy. Earlier that same year, Los Angeles County adopted a policy requiring all food procurement for its departments to prioritize plant-based options. Initiatives, such as LA Metro’s ambition to offer “the cleanest transportation in U.S. Olympic history,” are already underway. The critical question remains: will these forward-thinking standards apply to the food served at the Games?
Is a Plant-Based Olympics Feasible?
As of now, there’s no clear sign that the LA Olympics will adopt a fully plant-based model. However, momentum for a vegan 2028 Olympics is building. With the opening ceremony less than four years away, advocates such as Olympic medalist Dotsie Bausch are passionately campaigning for a firm commitment. The national animal welfare organization, Animal Outlook, is expanding awareness through initiatives like the “Vedge Pledge,” encouraging people to try plant-based eating for a week or longer to lower their carbon footprints. They emphasize that even adopting a vegan diet for just one day can save around 1,100 gallons of water, protect 30 square feet of forest, and spare an animal’s life. In a time filled with climate anxieties, it’s reassuring to know that individual choices can yield meaningful environmental impacts beyond merely reducing plastic use.
While a fully vegan Olympics may not single-handedly solve the complex climate issues we face, it would undoubtedly send a powerful message and showcase Los Angeles as a leader in sustainability. Following the success of the inaugural LA Climate Week, the city stands poised to demonstrate what a truly eco-conscious Olympics could look like.
Los Angeles, the moment is yours—let’s embrace this opportunity.
Source: Plantbasednews.org