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Veg Climate Network

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  • VEG CLIMATE NETWORK (VCN)
  • WHY VCN
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  • ABOUT US
  • MEET THE TEAM
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  • …  
    • HOME
    • VEG CLIMATE NETWORK (VCN)
    • WHY VCN
    • CURRENT FOCUS AREAS
    • Subscribe to Our
    • ABOUT US
    • MEET THE TEAM
    • CONTACT US
    Veg Climate Network Logo
    Veg Climate Network Logo

    Veg Climate Network

    • HOME
    • VEG CLIMATE NETWORK (VCN)
    • WHY VCN
    • CURRENT FOCUS AREAS
    • Subscribe to Our
    • ABOUT US
    • MEET THE TEAM
    • CONTACT US
    • …  
      • HOME
      • VEG CLIMATE NETWORK (VCN)
      • WHY VCN
      • CURRENT FOCUS AREAS
      • Subscribe to Our
      • ABOUT US
      • MEET THE TEAM
      • CONTACT US
      Veg Climate Network Logo
      • The Veg Climate Network (VCN) is a global initiative that will address agricultural-driven climate change through the increased adoption of plant-based food.

        One meatless day can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 22%,

        we’re on a mission to achieve that locally and globally.

      • WHY VCN?

        The Veg Climate Network (VCN) is a collaboration of not-for-profit plant-based and environmental organizations working together to save the planet, one plate at a time.

         

        Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), as well as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, desertification, water consumption and pollution. More than a third of all human-caused GHGs are linked to the way we produce, process and package food. And animal-based food contributes twice the amount of greenhouse gas emissions as plant-based food.

         

        That’s why adopting a more plant-based diet can have a real impact on our efforts to mitigate climate change and restore the planet. In fact, eating just one soy-based plant burger instead of a beef burger saves almost 400 gallons of water and reduces the associated GHG emissions by over 90%!

         

        And the benefits don’t stop there. Eating a more plant-based diet also offers health benefits, including improved heart and kidney health, reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes and helping to maintain a healthy weight.

         

        That is why VCN members are working with partners locally (in the Greater Toronto Area), nationally, and globally to increase the consumption of plant-based foods in public spaces, with an initial focus on public schools.

      • CURRENT FOCUS AREAS

        Two children sharing grapes and vegan food

        Creating Change

        Developing a strategy and creating resources to encourage public schools to adopt a more plant-based diet through the Meatless Mondays and DefaultVeg programs

        Partners working together to slow climate change

        Forging Partnerships

        Working with like-minded organizations to encourage cities to take action to reduce the negative impact of animal- based foods

        Books to represent developing knowledge base

        Developing Knowledge Base

        Developing a knowledge base to help global partners to increase the adoption of a more plant-based diet in their communities

      • Subscribe to Our Newsletter

        Sound exciting? Join our mailing list to learn more about how you can help us reduce climate change, one plate at a time.

        Subscribe
      • ABOUT VCN

        In 2019, Toronto joined 800 other governments & 11,000 scientists in declaring a climate emergency. As part of the C40, a global network of cities dedicated to halving emissions by 2030, the city has made specific, plant-based commitments but, to date, has not implemented any food-related initiatives.

         

        The Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more compassionate lifestyle through plant-based eating. Inspired by Kareena, the ten-year old niece of our board president - who had successfully petitioned her junior school to implement a Meatless Monday program - we saw a great opportunity to push for more plant-based options in schools and other public institutions. Thus, the Veg Climate Network (VCN) - a global network of plant-based organizations and stakeholders committed to food-based environmental advocacy - was born.

         

        With both the urgency of responding to the climate crisis and momentum behind plant-based eating growing, we need your support now more than ever! Together we can build the future we want and need – for us, for our children, and for the generations to come.

         

        Since our official launch in 2020 we have succeeded in growing our network to include value-aligned organizations, city officials, teachers/educators, parents and students. Together we hope to drive change within individuals, the community, and institutions by:

        1

        Raising awareness about the environmental impacts of food choices.

        2

        Amplifying the work of other groups and cities that are successfully reducing meat consumption.

        3

        Informing, guiding and enabling stakeholders to increase plant-based options and initiatives.

      • Image of Mark Simmons

        Mark Simmons

        Mark is a proud vegan, a committed climate activist and a TVA Board member.

        Image of Nital Jethalal

        Nital Jethalal

        Nital is a plant-based economist and policy analyst passionate about food systems change. He serves on the Boards of the Toronto Vegetarian Association and the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank.

        Image of Joyce Lee

        Joyce Lee

        Joyce loves the planet. She is an active mentor for enterprises that are creating social good for the world.

        Daniel Martinez 

        Daniel is a volunteer for the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank. He is also a former member of Ontario Plant-Based Student Association/student leader

        Emily Smith

        As an academic and writer at heart, Emily (H.BSc) hopes to use her scientific literacy, research and critical thinking skills to help create a more inclusive, compassionate and just world for all through education and community building.

        Marly Winckler

        Marly is the president and founder of the Brazilian Vegetarian Society, 2003-2015 (now Honorary President). IVU chair.

        Rebecca Kovacs

        Rebecca is a long-time vegan and advocate for social justice, animals, and the planet. She completed an M.A. in Philosophy and wrote her thesis on animal personhood.

      • CONTACT US

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      About Us

      To inspire, connect and empower others to use more plant-based approaches to safeguard the planet.

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      Sign up to learn about volunteering opportunities

      Contact Us

      vcn@veg.ca

      © 2021

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