PETA calls upon leaders of India, USA to try vegan

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the 2015 climate change talks in Paris and US President Barack Obama's visit to India, PETA called upon leaders of the two nations to use this opportunity to discuss the detrimental impact of meat and dairy production on climate change.

Two persons painted in the colours of the Indian and United States flags held placards which read, "Unite to Save the Planet: Try Vegan" and greeted passersby at Jantar Mantar today.

"As two of the top contributors to climate change, India and the US have to take the lead in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, encouraging vegan eating would be an extremely effective way to do that," said PETA India campaigns strategist Nikunj Sharma.

"Cutting out meat and dairy products is the best and easiest way that individuals can help prevent further damage to human health, spare animals intense suffering and save the planet," he said.

Raising animals for food is a leading cause of water and land usage and pollution, and a United Nations report concluded that a global shift towards a vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change.

A 2014 study published in New Scientist similarly found that just by going vegan, a person can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases their diet contributes to climate change by up to 60 per cent.