There is no denying climate change is a pressing issue. However, when addressing it on an individual level, we can sometimes feel powerless or overwhelmed. It might seem that despite our best efforts, we still depend on goods produced by companies over which we have no control. Or that our use of individual modes of transport follows the same logic of dependency.

Although it is an increasingly mainstream topic, meat-eating is still in somewhat of a blind spot for many. Considering the sensitive nature of the subject and the importance of appealing to a wide range of people, I believe it is vital to engage the public honestly, avoiding what can be perceived as a castigating or patronizing tone, and opening up instead a space for reflexion and discussion.

In 2018, the average Swiss citizen consumed 52.06 kg of meat (11.36 kg of beef, 14.22 kg of poultry, and 21.64 kg of pork). The combined CO₂ equivalent of its production alone amounts to 733.6 kg, roughly the amount a regular car emits over a 6550 km journey, which is more than the distance between Geneva and New Delhi.

Presenting our meat consumption in this way makes it more tangible and can help us identify where to focus our individual efforts in combatting climate change. Indeed, while our means to lower our carbon footprint often feel limited, reducing it can simply begin by following the easy vegetable curry recipe provided on the leaflet.
Because if it can seem difficult to cut out meat from our diets altogether, there certainly isn’t anything stopping us from eating less.