And the “Puffin” Goes To …
Flexitarians
For their role as change agents in the agriculture and food industries. These are consumers who are eating less meat and dairy to lower the carbon footprint of their food because they are concerned about the climate crisis, animal welfare or their health. This sizable and growing segment is leading the shift to plant-based diets because it is large enough to entice the big food companies to change their products to respond to the rapidly growing appetite for plant-based foods. The more alternatives available, the easier the change becomes.
Plant-Based Food Startups
The food scientists and innovators who have developed tasty, plant-based and cell cultured alternatives to the traditional western diet. While Beyond Meat, the Impossible Burger and plant-based milks have gone mainstream, there are hundreds of companies developing and marketing new food products such as plant-based chicken, seafood, sushi, cheese, yogurt and eggs. And cultured, cell based foods grown in a bioreactor are on the horizon and expected to be on shelves in 10 years.
Canada Food Guide
A new version of the Canada Food Guide was released in 2019 — one of the few national food guides to reflect the necessary shift away from emphasizing meat and dairy when it comes to promoting a healthy diet. Relying on science rather than being unduly influenced by industry, Health Canada conducted an open, broad, consultative process that resulted in a Guide much more aligned with the latest nutritional science. Dairy was eliminated as an exclusive food group and is now only one of many options in a broader protein group. The Guide also recommends Canadians consume more plant-based sources of protein than animal sources.
James Cameron
Oscar-winning director of Titanic and Avatar, Cameron was recently appointed to the prestigious Order of Canada, but that’s not why we’re awarding him a “Puffin”. Cameron was the executive producer of “The Game Changers”, a documentary currently screening on Netflix, which highlights testimonials from elite athletes who embody the benefits of a plant-based diet offering greater performance and recovery. The science-based film is creating buzz by debunking many of the myths attached to eating meat e.g., it’s necessary for building strength and endurance. The film got the attention of macho meat-eaters some of whom are revisiting the conventional “wisdom”.
The Scientific Community
For setting aside their professional diffidence to sound the alarm on the less than 12-year time horizon for solving the climate crisis, and the one million species at risk. And also for offering innovative practical solutions such as the Planetary Health Diet, plans to transition to “peak meat”, afforestation concepts, and tangible targets such as the need for people in wealthy nations to eat 90% less meat and 60% less dairy to slow down global heating. They’ve been issuing warnings for decades but now scientists have left the lab and are broadcasting their messages in mainstream media and on social media. And some have even grabbed megaphones and are marching in the streets.
Protesters
The millions of individuals who took to the streets around the world in 2019 protesting against “business as usual” as not being sustainable if we are to preserve our future on this planet. Government inaction, corporate greed, and animal cruelty were among the many issues that compelled people to lend their voices to the cry for change to create a more compassionate, equitable and sustainable world. Special kudos to the leadership shown by young people who are least responsible for the current mess and yet who have most to lose in terms of their future. Governments, corporations and other institutions will eventually have no choice but to listen and some are starting to respond — albeit still too slowly.
Denmark
For setting the most ambitious climate goals of any nation and pledging to make their agriculture and food sectors climate-neutral by 2050. Unlike farm and food lobbies in other countries, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council are not only not dragging their feet, they are leading the charge. As an example, some Danish farmers are re-flooding and restoring peat bogs, currently used for livestock pasture, to reduce emissions. Drained peat bogs increase CO2 emissions, while restored ones are excellent carbon sinks. And it’s not just agriculture and food. The entire country is aiming to be climate-neutral by 2050. That’s not an empty pledge, Denmark is one of the few countries on track to succeed.
Covering Climate Now
This unprecedented collaboration of nearly 400 media outlets around the world to tell the story of the climate crisis, was co-founded by the Columbia Journalism Review and The Nation. With lead partner, The Guardian, CCNow created a global community of news teams dedicated to raising the profile of the climate crisis by sharing their coverage with other partners ahead of the UN’s Climate Action Summit in September. The initiative reached an audience of over one billion people and continues to share and publish stories on an ongoing basis to help ensure the climate crisis stays on the front page.
Million $ Vegan
For creative ways of raising awareness of how adopting a plant-based diet can help improve our health, slow down the climate crisis and save animals. Challenging the Pope to go vegan for Lent in exchange for a $1 million donation to a charity of his choice was an innovative way to kick off the campaign. And now, their campaign “Make America Healthy Again” is offering a $1 million donation to US Veterans charities if Donald Trump swaps his fast food for a plant-based diet this January. M$V are also offering a $1 donation to charity for every individual who pledges to go vegan for January. Their innovative social media campaigns feature celebrities, experts and youth leaders like Genesis Butler and Vegan Evan.
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