Could you go without meat on Mondays?

APIn order to battle climate change, Sir Paul McCartney and his environmentally conscious daughters, Stella and Mary, would like the world to give up eating meat once a week. Greenhouse gas emissions from our livestock population is said to be a leading cause of global warming, and the "Meat Free Monday" campaign hopes to reduce this.

"Many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges," says McCartney, "and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world. Having one designated meat-free day a week is a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once."

Do you think this would be a difficult goal? I can tell you first hand that it's not. Fifteen years ago, back when I was in junior high, my best friend was a vegetarian and I decided to see how long I could go without eating meat. With chicken, turkey, pork and beef as an integral part of my diet, I thought my little test would only last a few days. But days became weeks, weeks became months, and soon enough I had gone without meat for six years! Though I do eat meat now fairly regularly, there are so many healthy and delicious meat alternatives, it's easy to give up eating animals for a few meals. (FYI- I even still eat tofu--I swear, when prepared well it's not a pile of tasteless mush.)

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization found meat production to be responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. By following Sir Paul's example, you can see that a simple switch in diet can make a big difference. Celebrities like Chris Martin of Coldplay, Kevin Spacey, Woody Harrelson, and billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson all endorse the campaign and will be participating in "Meat Free Monday" going forward. "I love eating meat," says Sir Richard, "but I love our planet even more, so I will join this campaign and stop eating meat at least one day a week."

Would you be willing to take the "Meat Free Mondays" challenge? [Telegraph]