Cambridge becomes first Mass. city to endorse Plant Based Treaty - but what does that mean?

"PBT U.S. City Campaigner and Scientific Advisor Kimmy Cushman told Boston.com that the ultimate goal of the treaty is to negotiate a global agreement to complement the Paris Agreement and encourage a more sustainable and equitable food system. At the local level, she said, the focus is on implementing best practices in food policy. Looking ahead, Cushman said PBT volunteers and employees will work with Cambridge staff to carry out the endorsement while also seeking similar actions from other cities, including Providence, Rhode Island and Boston."

""The global climate crisis is rapidly worsening, requiring bold and immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate its impacts," the order states. It describes plant-based diets as "one of the most effective individual actions to improve global sustainability," citing research showing such diets generally have about a quarter of the environmental impact of high-meat diets and can reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and strain on water resources."

Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a policy order endorsing the Plant Based Treaty, making Cambridge the first Massachusetts city and the 66th worldwide to support the treaty. The treaty aims to negotiate a global agreement to complement the Paris Agreement and promote a more sustainable, equitable food system while local implementation focuses on best practices in food policy. PBT volunteers and staff will collaborate with Cambridge employees to carry out the endorsement and to encourage similar city actions. The order characterizes plant-based diets as highly effective individual actions to lower environmental impact, emissions, pollution, and water strain.

Read at Boston.com