A Dutch city will be the first in the world ban ads meat in public spaces, to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The measure also covers: ads for petrol cars and tourist flights, other important sources of air pollution.
Located west of Amsterdam and with a population of around 160,000, Haarlem will enforce the ban from 2024 after meat is included. List of products thought to contribute to the climate crisis.
This way, advertisements on buses, awnings and screens in Haarlem will not be allowed, which has led to complaints from the meat industry believing that the municipality “goes too far in telling people what is best for them”. ” reports The Guardian.
Recent research shows that Global food production is responsible for one-third of all global warming emissionsand the use of animals for meat represents twice the pollution from the production of plant-based foods.
While carbon dioxide-absorbing forests are cleared for grazing animals, the fertilizers used to grow their food are rich in nitrogen, which can contribute to air and water pollution, climate change and climate change. Livestock also produces large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Ziggy Klazes, a councilor of the GroenLinks party, who drafted the bill banning meat advertising, told the Haarlem105 radio station: “We cannot tell people there is a climate crisis and we cannot encourage them to buy products that are part of the cause.”.
“Of course, there are many people who find the decision shocking, but there are also many who think it’s okay,” he added.
The ban is not limited to meat, because holiday flights also affect ads for fossil fuels and fossil fuel powered cars. But the ban won’t be in effect until 2024 due to existing contracts with companies selling the products.
Critics of this measure argue that it restricts freedom of expression. Sander van den Raadt, leader of the Trots Haarlem group, says: “It is remarkable that the municipality of Haarlem organized a big banner campaign saying that in Haarlem you can be yourself and love whoever you want, but only if you like the meat on the spot. from the grass, the ‘birth brigade’ will come and tell you that you are completely wrong”.
Greenpeace research, to reach the EU’s net zero emissions target by 2050, Meat consumption should be reduced to 24 kg per person per year, compared to the current average of 82 kg or 75.8 kg in the Netherlands.The EU’s largest meat exporter.
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