NORFOLK, VA – In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, the City of Norfolk’s Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Team is launching a series of programs throughout the month centered around combating climate change with plant-based eating and food waste reduction in an effort to educate residents about the impact animal product consumption has on climate change.
Eating a plant-rich diet and reducing food waste are effective ways to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of meat, dairy, and eggs. Livestock production produces more greenhouse gases than the world’s entire transportation sector — cars, trucks, planes, trains — combined.
Residents are encouraged to participate in a “Meatless Mondays” challenge by consuming a plant-based diet every Monday throughout the month of April. When residents sign up for the challenge, they will receive free recipes and tips on how to transition to a healthy plant-based diet.
Below is a list of additional programming:
- April 11: ‘Vegan Eats’ at City Hall – Vegan food trucks will be onsite 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This event will also feature community outreach with the Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center’s Waggin’ Wheels mobile unit.
- April 22: City of Norfolk’s Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Team Webpage Launch – The webpage established on www.norfolk.gov will serve as a one stop resource for climate action in Norfolk.
- April 22: Earth Day Event at Norfolk Premium Outlets - The City’s Environmental Sustainability Team will participate in this community outreach event at the Norfolk Premium Outlets.
- April 25: ‘Vegan Eats’ at MacArthur Square – Vegan food trucks will be onsite 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Throughout the month of April, residents are encouraged to #ShowUsYourPlateNFK by submitting pictures of their plant-based meals on social media for a chance to win environmentally sustainable prizes. Residents should also tag the city, @NorfolkVA, in their posts.
These Earth Month initiatives are in support of the Norfolk Climate Action Plan adopted in May 2019. For more information, email esi.langston@norfolk.gov.