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Part 1: A Call for Dietary Change to Address Climate Change Reducing meat consumption in wealthy nations and restraining it worldwide by 2050 to the per capita level of the year 2000—which was 37.4 kilograms per person per year—would free an estimated 400 million tons of cereals for human consumption. This is enough to cover the annual calorie need for 1.2 billion people. In directing investments in agriculture, taking the environmental dimension into account is crucial. Unsustainable forms of agriculture and unsustainable patterns of consumption are accelerating the trend toward global warming. The increase in livestock production since 1950 has led to severe overgrazing worldwide. Mahāprabhujī Karatā Mahāprabhujī Karatā... We hope that we’ll come up with a strong agreement. The livestock sector, according to the FAO’s report, emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems. It should be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, as these are associated with the livestock production cycle, climate change, and air pollution. It also leads to water shortage, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. We must realize we are all residents of spaceship Earth. If we want to protect the climate of this Earth and stabilize temperature increase to, say, two degrees Celsius or less, then we have to use every means to mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases. I submit to you once again that cutting down on meat consumption would be an extremely... Mahāprabhudīp Karatā Mahāprabhudīp Karatā He Kevalam. I suggest that one meat-free day could cut an individual’s emissions by the equivalent of a 1,000-mile car trip. I urge you, each of you, to do your bit for your people, for their children, and for the planet they will inherit. Go meat-free one day. Thank you. Beef, there is a factor of about 10, so we... It's hard for most people to do. Thank you very much. The challenge of climate change is serious. The impacts are going to become progressively worse and will lead to major disruption in human society across the globe. At the same time, I’d like to emphasize that mitigation actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases are really quite easy. In several cases, they are low cost, zero cost, or even negative cost. I think if we have to follow what Mahātma Gāndhī said, "Be the change you want to see in the world," then we have to start with ourselves. One way we can make a major difference is to reduce our meat consumption. The world today is on a path where meat production and consumption are growing very rapidly, and this is a source of a large quantity of greenhouse gas emissions. So if we as human beings reduce our meat consumption, possibly through one day a week being a meatless day, we can make a major difference. Frankly, I think we’ll be much healthier. A reduction in meat consumption by about 15–20% was to take place. That translates possibly into a 5% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions, which is substantial. This is something we can achieve without any investment. There are also major benefits from this, because a large part of deforestation in several parts of the world has taken place only to clear those forests and convert them into pasture land. The pasture land is being used not only for keeping and feeding animals but also for producing feed material for them. My expectations for Copenhagen are that there will be a fairly strong agreement. I hope that happens. The good news is that the U.S. is now fully engaged. China has made a statement, and other countries are also likely to make statements showing their strong commitment to solve this problem. So, I would expect a good agreement. It may not be final in terms of being legally binding, but as long as we make a major advance toward a legally binding agreement—which I hope will come during 2010—I think we would have made progress. India has come up with a national action plan on climate change. The cabinet, just about 10 days ago, cleared the solar energy mission, which I think is very ambitious. It lays down a target for investments in 20,000 megawatts of solar capacity by 2021-22. That is a big step forward, but it’s not the only thing; other parts of the national action plan also need to be done. So clearly, India’s commitment to meet this challenge is shown. May I say that Europe in this regard has really been in a leadership position. I compliment the parliamentarians in Europe and certainly the country governments in Europe, who have not only taken steps to do the maximum they can and set an example for the world, but have also been sensitive to the needs and problems faced in other parts of the world. Press Conference Segment Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to this press conference. We have here in the middle, Mr. Edward McMillan Scott, the vice president of the parliament, who is the organizer of this event. To his right side, Mr. Sir Paul McCartney, who has launched a campaign, and Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Thank you all for coming. We’ve just had a very successful hearing with several hundred members and staff, assistants, lobby groups, and NGOs. We’ve been focusing on an issue that is not on the agenda at Copenhagen to anything like the extent it should be: that livestock production causes more greenhouse gases than the whole of the transport sector. This point was made repeatedly this morning. The three of us have signed a joint statement, which I think you’ve got in front of you, addressed to governments and individuals around the world to follow the lead set by people like Rajendra Pachauri and his advocacy of eating less meat, and Sir Paul McCartney, himself a vegetarian. I personally haven’t eaten meat since last Christmas lunch. My bad cholesterol went down by 27%, and I lost 6.5 kilos, so it’s a good thing to do. We heard a speaker saying, from an expert point of view, how beneficial not eating much meat is for your health, or how eating none at all is even better. Now, your questions to either of the two speakers. Would you please state your name, your organization, and the person you are addressing your question to? In the front, shall we start? Could you use the microphone, please? Ruth Stannard (Supreme Master Television) to Sir Paul McCartney: How do you think we can encourage people to change their eating habits, education-wise, and also regarding the compassion issue? Sir Paul McCartney: I think what needs to be done is to point out the dangers of not changing our eating habits. There are lots of facts available; the ones I mentioned were from the UN report of 2006. There are many more facts available. I think we just have to encourage people, guide them, and help them make the transition. It’s doable. It’s very possible. We have to gently encourage people and show them how it can be done. Marco Zatrina (Stampa, Italy) to Sir Paul McCartney: First, have you ever considered writing songs about being vegetarian? Because this is your media, and maybe you can reach a wider audience. Second, regarding the climate change conference starting on Monday, do you trust the Americans? Do you think they can play a real role in reducing emissions to fight climate change? Sir Paul McCartney: For the first question, I actually have written a song. It’s on our Meat Free Monday website. I must say, I do encourage people who watch the website to write something better—it would be quite easy. Do I trust the Americans? Yeah, of course. This is an issue that is going to affect everyone. I read out a statement from Al Gore, the famous American advocate for change. In Copenhagen, I’m not a politician, so I don’t know how much can be done. I think what could be done, hopefully through events like this, is making people aware of the dangers and of the answer to what people can do. I hope that Americans—there are plenty already involved. There are schools in Baltimore in the U.S. involving 80,000 children. So it’s happening. I do trust the Americans. Edward McMillan-Scott (addressing Sir Paul): Just to add, at the end of the hearing I said that Paul McCartney was the sole author of the most popular song ever written yesterday, but he’s here today to talk about tomorrow—your tomorrow and your children’s tomorrows. So maybe the next song will be about tomorrow. I wanted to thank you for the time and energy you’re giving to this cause, one that I certainly share. I think most people recognize that it’s a tremendous asset to the health of the world and its future as a planet. Tony Connolly (RTÉ Television, Ireland) to Sir Paul McCartney: You’re directing your message at a European audience, but European agriculture is, by and large, quite efficiently managed. If you encourage reduced agricultural production here, it may shift to a country like Brazil, where it is less efficient and produces more carbon emissions. Sir Paul McCartney: I’m not an expert on world farming, but my suggestion is that governments and bodies like the European Parliament help people to change. I don’t think this has to mean the demise of farming; it has to adapt. I said in my speech, I would love it if what I’m saying is wrong and we could just sit around and not do anything—that’s terrific because I’ve got a concert in Berlin tonight. I prefer not to be doing this, but I think the facts are too true to ignore. I do understand that farmers all need to make a living. Part 2: Addressing Climate Change Through Dietary Shifts I would like to respond to that. Firstly, regarding the specific example of Brazil potentially filling a vacuum if European production declines: frankly, if transport costs are properly priced—which is quite likely to happen in the future—it will become very difficult for anyone in Latin America to compete in the European market. My second point is that in Copenhagen, if not there, then certainly a few months later, there will be an agreement which will allow financing for avoided deforestation. You must remember that a large part of the pastureland created in Brazil is essentially the result of clearing forests. If there is an incentive for them to start expanding their forest area, then that will become far more attractive than producing meat and exporting it to Europe. So, I would not worry too much about that eventuality. Journalist Nikolai Nielsen: Hello, my name is Nikolai Nielsen. I am an independent journalist. This is directed to Sir Paul McCartney. Climate change and poverty are linked, and in Europe, one in five children is at risk of poverty. I was wondering if you could comment or explain how your plan may or may not reduce the number of children at risk of poverty here in Europe. Sir Paul McCartney: Thank you. I cannot really answer that. Maybe somebody else can. I am not an expert around here, but I do believe we have to address the issue of poverty. Dr. Rajendra Pachauri: Purī. Either of you, gentlemen? Well, let us look at it this way. Today we have a deficit in food grain production, largely because huge quantities are being directed to the production of meat. If you look at Europe, let us first turn our gaze to what is happening in Africa. There are countries over there which are going to suffer a 50% decline in agricultural yields as early as 2020. And this is a continent, Mahāprabhujī Karatā Purījī, Śrī Mahāṁ Karatā Purījī, Śrī Mahāṁ... Karata Purī Mahāprabhujī, Karata Mahāprabhujī, Karata Mahāprabhujī. By choosing some changes in lifestyle, of which dietary changes are extremely important, I think we should be part of that solution. So it is not one or the other; we have to do all of these. Question from the audience: Why is it a different way? Why not the tax way? Why do not we treat food differently, meat differently than cars? Dr. Pachauri: Yes, I think a tax would make a lot of sense. In Japan, for instance, beef costs much more than white meat, poultry, or fish. So certainly, taxation would be an effective way of bringing about change. But at the same time, we as human beings, responsible for our own food habits, can also make a difference. I think if there is enough awareness among the public, we do not have to wait for governments to impose a tax. Again, that is not a case of one or the other. Taxes perhaps will help, and perhaps we should think of those very seriously. Journalist Martinez de Rituerto (El Pais, Spain): One for Sir Paul, and for the panel, of course. It seems that this is adding a new layer of things in order to reduce consumption of meat in particular. Because already the church has said, from centuries ago, millennia in fact, a meat-free day, that is Friday. The Mediterranean diet states that you have to have a balanced diet, not everybody and every place having to eat meat. So what is your addition to this? Should not you be emphasizing what has already been done instead of adding a new initiative? And on a personal note for Sir Paul, some people were commenting, is he reducing the power of the consumption of electricity in his concerts when he gives a concert tonight in Berlin and yesterday in Hamburg? Sir Paul McCartney: I grew up as a kid at school not eating meat on a Friday, and I did not know why. I just understood it was a rule of the church. I still actually do not understand why. It has been suggested it is something to do with Good Friday, but I am not sure. But the point was that I accepted it. It just was part of the lifestyle, it was part of the rules of the school I went to. So I am saying now that there is an even more crucial reason, perhaps, to do this than that Friday. We have to actually reduce emissions going into the atmosphere. And methane and nitrous oxide, produced by the livestock industry in large quantities, are very dangerous to our future and to our children’s future. So, that is why I am suggesting a meat-free Monday. As to reducing electricity on the concerts and things, I do everything I can. Unfortunately, I cannot; they have not invented microphones that work on candle power. So, there are certain things to give a concert that I have to do. I had to fly here, which, you know, I understand you are going to say that is my carbon footprint. Al Gore gets this all the time, but it is not a perfect world. And, you know, this is something I had to do to get here. I will have to do it to get to Berlin tonight, but I do my bit. I do everything I can. You know, if I have a choice of car, I will go for a hybrid. If I can recycle or not, I will recycle. So in all the ways that I can do it, I do try and do it. Mahāprabhujīp Karatā Mahāprabhujīp Karatā. Journalist Leo Boos (Indymedia Belgium): Good evening, I am Leo Boos from Indymedia Belgium. I have a question for Dr. Pachauri. My question is, how much can we slow down climate change by consuming less or no meat? Because we always referred to the 2006 report, but I am wondering if there is enough data on what the impact will be. And then for Mr. Paul McCartney, I have a question also. I am a vegetarian myself, and around me, most people, like even last evening, people came to eat at our place, and really, they did not like the food they got. Even I find it delicious. How do people around you take this? Dr. Pachauri: Thank you, Dr. Pachali, for the first question. Yeah, can I also give you a short answer to the second question? I know I am pre-empting Sir Paul, but if you want, next time you want a party in your home, let me know. I will send you an Indian cook who will give you thousands of dishes from vegetarian sources. But to answer your question, let us assume that the meat cycle, you know, based on the 18% figure, which may be an underestimate. Let us assume that about a quarter of the emissions are coming from the meat cycle, the livestock cycle. I think cutting down consumption to maybe five or six days a week will certainly make a major difference in terms of reducing emissions by, say, five, seven, eight percent, something like that. Now, we have estimated in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report that if we want to limit temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, 2 to 2.4 degrees Celsius, then global emissions must peak no later than 2015. And if we can bring about this shift through people power, through the involvement of people on their own, and they are going in for less meat consumption, I think that certainly makes the task of governments and any international agreement so much easier. So, I think we can really make a difference if we want to get to this two-degree limit and reduce emissions beginning in 2015. This can be a major part of it. And the second part was, that was the answer I would have given. You know, it is perfectly easy to do very good vegetarian cooking. Sir Paul McCartney: No, but the food was good. Moderator: Okay, we are going for the last question. Pardon? Well, can we take that one? Yes. Okay, go ahead. Journalist Eric (As The World Turns, Dutch television): Yeah, well, it is to Sir Paul McCartney. My name is Eric, from As The World Turns on Dutch television. Sir Paul, you have become a bit of a subject of controversy in the Netherlands because a famous Dutch politician, Esther de Lange, said, "Well, here is just another narrow-minded jet-set star touring the globe with a jet-set style and presenting a narrow-minded message." Is not it just as good to eat yesterday’s meatball, put it on a sandwich with a little bit of mustard on it? Is not that just as good? Sir Paul McCartney: You know, I wish what you are saying was true. It would be great if we could all just continue eating like we eat. I strongly suspect that it is not true. These reports are not my facts. This is not me with this narrow-minded point of view. This is actually a very broad point of view. It is to do with your future, with your country’s future, and all the children that are now being born in that country. If something is not done, there is going to be a real global crisis. And I think that is a very broad subject. So, you know, hey, but your friend can think what they think. You know, it is fine. I am all for free speech. But I really suspect that what we are saying here today is true. If it is not, prove it is not true, or just go on acting the way you are acting. It is not going to work. We have got a problem, and it has got to be solved. Moderator: Thank you. Thank you all very much indeed. That is the last question because we have to close this. Just to let you know, the European Parliament today is serving all food as 50% meat-free. Thank you all for attending. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Rajendra. Thank you, Marjorie. Thank you. Three generations. What do you think? He is a friend of mine. Thank you for coming. Sir Paul McCartney: Okay, thank you. It is for charity support. Believe me, believe me. It is for charity support. It is for charity support. Alright, there you are. Good to see you. Thanks a lot. Two minutes, two minutes. Alright, thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. So, I am pleased to meet you. I am pleased to meet you. We have an award here. We have an award. Hello, good afternoon. Good morning. Hi. Thank you. My office is on the left, I suppose. Probably we should... It is very important, you know. Come here, come here. In the middle, you must be in the middle. Mr. Pachauri, we met twice. It is a great honor for us as well. Thank you. Can you shake hands, please? All of us, yeah. That is something like that. It is a shaking hand for four persons, you know. Signature, if you wish, will be a photo of all of us, maybe a few. Thank you, sir. I hope he is here for each of us. Question to Dr. Pachauri: Are you disappointed with the Americans in Copenhagen? Dr. Pachauri: I was just thinking about that. The American administration should not hide while with Congress and say, "Congress is now..." The administration must go forward. Karata Purījī Karata Mahāprabhudīp Purījī Karata Mahāprabhudīp Purījī Karata Purījī Karata Purījī.