Hundreds of academics call for 100% plant-based meals at UK universities

Given the quality of meat at many university canteens, this wouldn't even be that bad

I have been to 100% vegan campuses (as a visiting chef for special events) and let me tell you, the Acadmics may want this but the students DO NOT. I say this with love (I have a bbq joint with many, many vegan options because all are welcome), and the stories I encountered were amazing on the creativity the students would do to get meats. Some students didn't even realize the campus was vegan (7th day adventist) and met with the chef to complain months after the start of classes not knowing rhe "bacon" wasn't just "weird tasting" it wasn't bacon.

Sounds like a good idea but no way students will just adapt. I do enjoy the the feeling of being able to eat anything on the menu for once. Flip the script!

Many universities had students surveys and made the choice for vegan menus already.

In Cambridge the students voted for completely vegan menus https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/21/cambridge-university-students-vote-for-completely-vegan-menus

In Berlin 34 canteens have only one day a week a option with meat https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/31/berlins-university-canteens-go-almost-meat-free-as-students-prioritise-climate Many others are already plant based.

It is on a steady rise due to demand of the students https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/22/vegan-college-menus-on-rise-as-students-return-to-universitys

This is the best summary I could come up with:

More than 650 academics have called on British universities to commit to 100% plant-based catering to fight the climate crisis, saying that the institutions have “for centuries, been shining lights of intellectual, moral, and scientific progress”.

Cutting meat consumption in rich nations is vital to tackling the climate crisis, with scientists saying it is the single biggest way for people to reduce their impact on the planet.

The letter, sent to UK university vice-chancellors, catering managers, and student union presidents, said: “We are acutely aware – as you must be too – of the climate and ecological crises; not only this but we are also mindful that animal farming and fishing are leading drivers of them.

Tom Bradshaw, the deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union, said: “It’s right for universities to consider how they can play their part in the climate change challenge, but banning all beef and lamb, regardless of where and how it is produced, is a far too simplistic approach.

Chris Packham said: “The student campaigners of Plant-Based Universities are making incredible changes in their institutions and it’s only right to see hundreds of academics stepping up to support them.”

In 2020, A powerful coalition of the UK’s health professions said the climate crisis could not be solved without action to cut the consumption of high-emission food such as red meat, and that sustainable diets were healthier.

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Piss off. I'll eat what I like

You have to question these ‘academics’ credentials for saying cutting down on meat consumption is the biggest effect they could have on the planet.

It’s widely known that not having children has a much bigger impact in the climate than cutting down on meat consumption.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378008001003?via%3Dihub