Parker has implemented several efforts this year to create a more sustainable school. So far, the school has created a “Green Team,” re-implemented recycling bins, hosted an MX, and supported students participating in this year’s climate strike. Parker’s initiatives should not stop here: there are still a number of steps the school can take to further its mission, including Meatless Mondays.

Meatless Monday is a non-profit and global movement that encourages people to cut out meat one day a week. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with the Center for a Livable Future for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Meatless Monday aims to reduce meat consumption by 15%. 

“Less meat = less heat.” Meatless Monday uses this motto in its environmental mission. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock production is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Worldwatch Institute has estimated it could be as one as 51 percent, more than all of the cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world.

Furthermore, more than a third of all raw materials and fossil fuels consumed in the U.S. are used in livestock production. More pointedly, livestock accounts for an estimated nine percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of global methane emissions, and 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions worldwide. 

Producing meat also requires a substantial amount of water. Statistics from earthday.org say it takes an estimated 1800 to 2500 gallons to produce one pound of beef. Non-meat alternatives, including soy tofu, take about 220 gallons to produce. 

Additionally, almost half of the corn produced in the United States is used to feed livestock. 

With varying main menus and sandwich options, it is clear that time and effort goes into our lunches every single day. Quest Food Services at Parker has also committed to a sustainable, “green” kitchen, composting and publicizing their sustainable practices at the “Green Team” MX. 

Implementing Meatless Mondays in our cafeteria could be relatively effortless. With a little menu change, Parker could reduce its carbon footprint by a significant amount and set an example for institutions and cafeterias around the city. The collaboration of groups around the school including the “Green Team,” Food Council, and the Quest staff should work together to bring this mission to the school. 

According to earthday.org, if a person ate one less burger a week for one year, it would be the equivalent of driving 320 fewer miles. Skipping meat and cheese one day a week with family equals taking your car off the road for five weeks while skipping steak once a week with family reduces the same amount of emissions as driving three months less in a year. 

If the entirety of the United States did not eat meat or cheese once a week, it would be the equivalent of taking 7.6 million cars off the road: 9.1 billion miles. 

Chef Zach and the whole Quest team should consider making this change, signing the pledge, and supporting the Meatless Monday movement. The Parker community should do everything in its power to support this effort. The Parker family could make an enormous change in decreasing our emissions.