What we’re about
Our group approached the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, and we received a signed Meatless Monday proclamation from them:
http://files.meetup.com/161345/MeatlessMondayProclamationSignedSCCsupervisors.pdf
More about Meatless Monday and how reducing animal product consumption can have a dramatic effect on the environment, climate change, preventable lifestyle diseases, water conservation, ocean acidification, and more:
http://meatlessmonday.com
Our FREE summer film series at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries was a success, with lots of participants. At the library, you can check out the films, which examine the connection between what you eat and climate change, pollution, health, bees, hunger in America, human and animal welfare, and more:
http://files.meetup.com/161345/FoodandYouFilmSeries.pdf
On September 28, 3pm, at the Scotts Valley Branch, we had a brainstorming session about personal and group action we can take based on what we learned from the films. We used environmentalist Frances Moore Lappe's EcoMind workshop materials as a springboard.
About Our Group
Enjoy vegan food in beautiful Santa Cruz County, California! Plant-based eating here is outstanding, as we have some of the freshest year-round produce in the world! Whether you're vegan, reducing animal product consumption, or just want to enjoy good conversation and a healthy meal free of animal products, please join us! Our meetups are Fun social events where you can explore your food options and choices with no pressure, honest.
Why do some people reduce or eliminate animal product consumption? There are many different reasons, and there is a lot of diversity in our group as a result. See the following page for more information about the group and the variety of reasons people become vegan or reduce their consumption of animal products:
http://www.meetup.com/scvegans/pages/Why_Do_Some_People_Become_Vegan%3F/
Why Environmentalists and Chefs Reduce Their Animal Product Consumption
Al Gore and Bill Clinton have both gone vegan, while the Bill Gates Foundation and other wealthy investors have invested in a pea-based egg alternative, because they don't believe that the planet can sustain our demand for animal-based foods:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/11/25/al-gore-goes-vegan-with-little-fanfare/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/13/191029875/why-bill-gates-is-investing-in-chicken-less-eggs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbNw00V26pw&feature=c4-overview&list=UU4DUZAtqyn1XnGacB8vERpA
Mark Bittman, renowned journalist and cookbook author, has a great Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) talk that summarizes a lot of the reasons to reduce animal product consumption, as well as why he's "Vegan Before 6:"
http://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html
Another TED talk by Graham Hill, founder of Treehugger.com, on why he's a weekday vegetarian (4 mins):
http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_weekday_vegetarian.html
Mario Batali supports Meatless Monday, along with scores of other famous chefs and restauranteurs:
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/meatless-monday-even-mario%E2%80%99s-doing-it/
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/whos-going-meatless/
Our group participates in a variety of environmental events to help spread the word about how even small changes in what you eat can dramatically influence the environment, health, social justice, and climate change. And even save our childrens' future.
Climate Change and Animal Product Consumption
Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and stop climate change, through diet:
http://files.meetup.com/161345/EarthDayFlyer2013.pdf
http://www.meetup.com/scvegetarians/pages/Earth_Day_2012/
http://www.meetup.com/scvegetarians/pages/350_Global_Warming_Handout/
http://www.350.org/node/8842
Following is a terrific website with the latest news about climate change and solutions:
http://worldpreservationfoundation.org
Here is their introductory video, which is a nice overview of the latest in climate change science, and describes why it's so important to reduce certain greenhouse gases now:
Cooling the Planet - Fast Acting Solutions
http://www.worldpreservationfoundation.org/events.php?id=35#.UbKHTJUhSFY
As a coastal community, it's also important to be aware of issues that affect our oceans. This beautifully filmed documentary examines the threat of overfishing, trawling, pollution, fish farming, and climate change (16 mins):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdo-YUFZd6c
Our Group Philosophy
This is a moderate vegan group that encourages nonviolence and positive, practical action to improve the world we live in: democracy is not a spectator sport. History teaches us that if you're not paying attention, things tend to go in directions you don't want them to. We enjoy stimulating conversation, and at the same time we ask that everyone be respectful and courteous of others' opinions. Although the organizers are concerned about animal welfare, have been veg for decades, and even live with rescued farm animals, this is not an animal rights group: it's a group about diet. There are many different reasons people become vegan, and we try to be supportive of them and learn from each other, as long as they are in line with our group values of nonviolence in action and communication with each other. We hold no grudges toward any other veg groups, even those who choose to operate differently from us. Everyone should find the groups in line with their own philosophies. We've been a group for more than nine years now!
If you're concerned about your "internet privacy," know that our group is private so you can feel free to post your opinions in your profile and on our message board without it appearing on the internet in searches.
Petitions for Positive Change
Sign our petition to start a Meatless Monday campaign in Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County, which benefits health, the environment, and local businesses:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/605/937/090/start-meatless-monday-in-santa-cruz-and-santa-cruz-county/
Another petition to ban poison lead ammunition and illegal shooting, and foster education about sharing our home with predators, deer, and other wildlife:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/690/581/474/curb-shooting-and-lead-ammunition-in-santa-cruz-county-ca-usa/