4.21.2008 6:46 AM

Sir Paul: Stop Eating Meat

Forget that Prius, Invest in Tofu Burgers

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Photo: Kevin Mazur

By Dan Shapley

Paul McCartney has made a pitch: The quickest way for anyone to do something about global warming is to stop eating meat.

In an interview with PETA, which Reuters published excerpts of, Sir Paul said:

"The biggest change anyone could make in their own lifestyle would be to become vegetarian. I would urge everyone to think about taking this simple step to help our precious environment and save it for the children of the future."

Raising livestock, according to the United Nations, is responsible for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, more even than burning gasoline to power every vehicle on Earth. Besides carbon dioxide (and methane) produced in the rearing of animals, it takes much more water, land and grain to produce meat.

Maybe it's time for a hit song to drive the message home, though. Around the world, meat production is forecast to more than double by 2050.

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