The movement aiming to transition the world to a more plant-based food system to combat climate change has arrived in Newmarket, with some residents asking the Town of Newmarket to sign on to show its support.
The Plant Based Treaty is a grassroots movement asking leaders around the globe to sign onto the concept. The movement is concerned with how rising meat consumption and animal agriculture contribute to climate change and is seeking a transition to more plant-based food systems to help combat that. Supporters hope to see a global movement in line with the Paris climate accords.
A group from the movement attended Newmarket council today, Sept. 16, to make the pitch. Newmarket resident Art Lightstone said he is proud of the municipality’s commitment to the environment and their treaty support would be “one more thing” in which the town could take pride.
“For the Town of Newmarket, endorsing the Plant Based Treaty would be one more thing our town could do for the environment, for climate and for the children that are going to inherit this planet,” Lighthouse said.
The Plant Based Treaty supporters hope to create bottom-up pressure to get world leaders to take action. Organizations across the world, along with 30 municipalities globally have signed on.
Lightstone said the treaty would put food systems at the forefront of combating the climate change crisis and promote a shift toward healthier, plant-based diets. The treaty concept dates back to 2021.
“There is an urgent need for change, and the simplest, fastest, most effective and least expensive thing anyone can do to lower their carbon footprint is to simply reduce their consumption of animal products and increase their consumption of plant-based products,” he said.
Council did not make any commitment to the concept one way or another. But Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the premise is agreeable, though noted it does not have to mean the outright elimination of meat consumption.
“I do agree with your general position, which is that we need to reduce meat consumption to address climate change,” Taylor said. “It’s a good thing to bring to our awareness and to share with council, and we’ll try to continue to have conversations.”
