New York City Mayor Eric Adams Monday blamed food for contributing to “climate change” and vowed to reduce food-based carbon emissions by 33% by 2030.
Adams made the remarks during a press conference to present the city’s greenhouse gas report, which for the first time included data about food-based emissions. He stressed that meat and dairy are the main culprits of food-related global warming.
"Food is the third-biggest source of cities' emissions right after buildings and transportation. But all food is not created equal. The vast majority of food that is contributing to our emission crises lies in meat and dairy products," Adams said.
“It is easy to talk about emissions that are coming from vehicles and how it impacts our carbon footprint, it is easy to talk about the emissions that’s [sic] coming from buildings and how it impacts our environment,” the mayor added. “But we now have to talk about beef. And I don’t know if people are really ready for this conversation.”
Adams, himself a vegan, also urged the private sector to reduce food-related emissions by 25% in an initiative called the Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge. Those who sign up for the challenge will be provided with a plan by the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP) for how they can reduce emissions and eat a plant-based diet.
The city has already made plant-based meals the default option for patients in the Health + Hospitals network, and Adams’ office says it is on track to distribute 850,000 plant-based meals to patients in 2023.
New York City also became subject to new food standards last year which place a cap on the amount of meat that can be served by municipal agencies and a minimum quota for plant-based foods. The rules also state that processed meats must be phased out by 2025.
New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks applauded Adams’ zeal to foist veganism on children and vowed to make the environment a priority in schools.
“I’m proud to be joining Mayor Adams, the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, and our agency counterparts throughout New York City to take essential steps towards reducing carbon emissions for the betterment of our community, and of communities around the world,” said Banks in a statement. “New York City public schools will continue to prioritize sustainability in all aspects, including our kitchens and lunchrooms, to help our city meet this critical commitment.”
