CLIMATE chief Lord Stern (the author of the influential 2006 Stern review) recently said that people should give up meat – as a vegetarian diet is better for the planet. We couldn't agree more – it is something we have being saying for ages!

In 2006, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation reported that livestock production was globally more damaging than all the cars, planes, boats and trains in the world combined! Since then more and more people are moving towards a more sustainable, low-carbon veggie diet. Going veggie is also less wasteful. Most of our farmed land is used to grow crops to feed animals. Even that is not enough and we have to import fodder from cleared rainforests or countries that already struggle to feed themselves. Surely it makes more sense to grow crops for us to eat directly.

Many of us feel we have little power over the world around us. Global warming is such a huge issue it is easy to see why most feel daunted. However, there is an easy action we can all take to help the planet – and that is simply what we put in our shopping basket.

Obviously, the fewer animal products we eat the better. Being meat and dairy-free is the ideal but even cutting out a few meat dishes a week helps. To this end, Viva! has launched our Fruity Fundays initiative, which is packed with fun and easy ideas on how to do exactly that – including lots of tasty recipes and nutritional advice. To find out more visit www.fruityfundays.com, or phone Viva! on 0117 944 1000.

Justin Kerswell,

Campaigns Manager, Viva!

8 York Court,

Wilder Street,

Bristol,

BS2 8QH.