ORGANISATIONS in the region have joined forces for World Meat Free Day to raise awareness of issues surrounding meat sustainability.

The initiative, on Monday, June 15, aims to encourage people to think about eating less meat as a way of addressing health and sustainability issues associated with current levels of meat consumption. It is believed an increase in meat production of more than 200 million tonnes will be required to feed the world’s population, which will have expanded to nine billion by 2050.

According to the organisers of the national event, if ten million people gave up meat for one meal, the amount of CO2 emissions saved would be the equivalent to driving around the world more than 2,438 times and 5,700 acres of land would be protected.

Joyce D’Silva, ambassador at Compassion in World Farming, said: “Eating less, but only higher welfare, meat allows us to eat well and reduce our impact on the environment.”

People are encouraged to pledge via the website; www.worldmeatfreeday.com to go meat-free for one day.

The event is being supported by Quorn, based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and the York Festival of Ideas, as well as the Eating Better Alliance and Compassion in World Farming.