Here’s an interesting strategy to lower the impact our food choices have on the environment. According to the UN, meat and dairy provide just 18% of the calories consumed worldwide, yet use 83% of global farmland and are responsible for 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions! Changing how and what we eat can significantly lower our carbon footprint. Green Spark Group (sparkers of environmental change in the film industry and parent company to the Sustainable Production Forum) recently teamed up with the betterfoodfoundation.org to present a webinar explaining the research-based ideas behind the concept of “DefaultVeg”. 

Changing default options can nudge people into making better choices – without taking away a person’s ability to choose for themselves. The idea behind DefaultVeg, which has already been adopted by various universities, hospitals and corporate cafeterias, is to make plant-based menu options the predominant choice – but with meat and dairy still available as an optional add-on. This slight shift in perspective can kickstart a new normal. Evidence shows that by simply changing the default, people are more likely to choose plant-based, even when meat and dairy are still available. 

You can dive into some interesting research by following the links above, or watch the 30-minute webinar recording on YouTube: 

Switching 1,000 meals to DefaultVeg can save an amount of pollution equal to driving a passenger vehicle over 4,000 miles! Eating more plant-based foods reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease, among other diet-related conditions, and plant-based meals are generally more inclusive for people with food intolerances and religious or dietary restrictions. The concept can be adopted by set caterers and crafty, for meeting and office lunches or special event catering. It’s really a positive for both people and the planet. Pass the P’s please!

For more ideas on ways to effect change, check out DGC National’s DGC Green site as well as Creative BC’s Reel Green website for new industry initiatives, green vendors, events and courses you can take.

Tell me what your show is doing to be more sustainable! Do you have a green tip or success story you'd like us to share in a future Ebulletin? Send me an email at awilczur@dgcbc.com.

Annabelle Wilczur
Assistant Business Agent