Mayor Of Italian City Promotes Vegetarian And Vegan Diets As A “Priority”
Italian Mayor Wants Turin To Be The First Vegetarian City In The World
Vegetarianism isn’t a new concept. In fact, it’s an idea and way of eating that is increasing in popularity at a momentous rate!
According to The Raw Food World, there are now 16 million vegetarians and vegans in the United States alone. And, even Sweden is considering implementing a meat tax to inspire people to adopt healthier diets and to cut down on carbon emissions.
Why the hype over vegetarianism? Well, not only is eschewing meat an ethical choice to save animals’ lives, it’s an intelligent move to benefit the planet. In fact, the UN has urged people everywhere to seriously consider adopting vegetarian or even vegan diets to reduce their carbon footprint and benefit the environment.
One individual who is on board with this thought is Chiara Appendino, who is the new mayor of the city of Turin in Italy. According to The Guardian, the animal rights advocate is intent on promoting vegetarian and vegan diets as a “priority” in her administration.
Appendino is a member of the Five Star Movement (M5S), which has a 62-page manifesto which outlines meat-free and even dairy-free living as an optimal way to benefit the environment, human health, and the well-being of animals.
Because of her ideals, the ambitious mayor aims to make Turin the country’s first all-vegetarian city. City officials are presently looking into ways to set up educational projects in schools to teach students about animal welfare and nutrition.
Though the ambition to convert an entire city into being vegetarian might seem outlandish to some, the mayor has plenty of support. In fact, Luigi di Maio, the deputy speaker of the Italian parliament, recently celebrated his birthday by indulging in a vegan cake!
Specifics of the strategy have not yet been disclosed, but it’s important to note that it is not likely – or even probable – that strict vegetarianism could be enforced upon the entire population. Instead, vegetarianism will an ideal that receives heavy enforcement, and meat products will continue to be allowed to be sold within the city.
“I would not want to create a contrast with the meat industry. We do not want to close the small shops or ruin the people who have worked for years to develop the Piedmontese food and wine heritage.”
2016 by Amanda Froelich
Photo Credit: cntraveler.com