RAIPUR, 

In a striking visual appeal ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Vegans of Chhattisgarh (VOC) took to the streets of Raipur on Wednesday, urging the public to embrace veganism as a crucial step against climate change.
At Marine Drive, Telibandha pond, a boy and a girl, their bodies meticulously painted blue and green to resemble planet Earth, drew attention to the significant environmental impact of animal agriculture. Their signs boldly declared, “Fight Climate Change with Diet Change. Please Go Vegan,” encouraging passers-by to choose plant-based meals to protect the environment.

“Raising animals for food is a leading cause of environmental degradation, as it requires massive amounts of land, energy, and water while emitting enormous quantities of greenhouse gases,” stated Atharva Deshmukh, PETA India Campaigns Coordinator. “PETA India urges the public to help the planet, animals, and themselves by choosing vegan foods.”

PETA India highlighted that meat, egg, and dairy production is a major contributor to pollution, the creation of ocean dead zones, habitat destruction through extensive land use, and species extinction. This industry consumes one-third of the world’s freshwater resources and, by some estimates, generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all global transportation systems combined. Research from the University of Oxford indicates that adopting a vegan diet can reduce an individual’s food-related carbon footprint by up to 73 per cent, making it a highly effective personal action against climate change.

Beyond environmental benefits, vegan eating also champions animal welfare. PETA India’s exposé “Glass Walls” reveals the harsh realities faced by animals in industrial farming: chickens crammed into tiny cages, cows and buffaloes suffering broken bones during transport to slaughterhouses, and pigs subjected to brutal killings. The fishing industry sees fish suffocating or being cut open alive. Male chicks in the egg industry are often cruelly disposed of, while male calves in the dairy industry face abandonment or death due to their inability to produce milk.

Each person who adopts a vegan lifestyle is estimated to spare the lives of nearly 200 animals annually. A United Nations report has also concluded that a global shift towards vegan eating is essential to combat the most severe effects of the climate catastrophe. PETA India offers a free vegan starter kit for those who are interested to switch.