My family and I try to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. My husband bikes to work, my kids walk to school, and we’ve been a one-car family for years. 

A few years ago, I took it a step further. I decided to eat only plants. Growing plants for food requires much less agricultural land, uses much less water and creates much less pollution than animal farming. For example, producing a pound of wheat, corn or peas creates an average of 60 times less carbon dioxide than a pound of beef. 

I know most people have little interest in going fully vegan, a diet that avoids all animal foods, including dairy and honey. But, if more people would make even a partial switch to plant-based eating, we could significantly reduce our carbon footprint and make strides against climate change. Even cutting out meat just one day a week can really make an impact.

Consider:

• Well over half of the CO2 emissions from the average American diet are a result of eating meat — and 45% come from beef alone.
• Meat produces far more greenhouse gases than plant crops do. A pound of beef produces around 15 times as much CO2 as a pound of rice.
• Going vegetarian for a year would reduce your CO2 emissions by over one metric ton — the equivalent of driving 2,475 fewer miles.

Introducing the Plant-Based Bike Crawl

Luckily, it’s really easy these days to reduce your meat consumption. We have delicious, convenient, affordable plant-based food choices all over the Twin Cities. You can hop on your bike and experience a few of them with me on Saturday, August 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Twin Cities’ First-Ever Plant-Based Bike Crawl. 

This 18-mile recreational ride will lead you through iconic Minneapolis parks on your way to three different vegan restaurants — including Reverie Cafe + Bar, Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken and Vegan East Café — with additional stops for plant-based snacks and refreshments. You’ll get to try vegan crispy fried chicken, a savory carnitas taco, custom baked goods and more tasty vegan treats.

This event is a great way to explore making a positive impact with your food choices. And, the event proceeds support Twin Cities Veg Fest, the largest festival in the Midwest celebrating everything plant-based. I’d love to see you there!

Food photos courtesy of Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken and Reverie Café + Bar