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Billie Eilish pushes for climate action

Eilish, a vegan, is passionate about climate awareness. Her current Happier Than Ever tour has its own Eco-Village, where fans can learn more about climate action. It also features a pre-performance message from Baird. She urges viewers to take Support + Feed’s plant-based pledge and ditch meat for 30 days.

Diet change is a key way to fight the climate crisis. The meat industry is a leading cause of deforestation, water pollution, and contributes 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In the recorded message, Baird says: “I know that you know that Billie and her whole family are very concerned about climate change and I know you are too. By taking a pledge to eat at least one plant-based meal a day for 30 days you will help save the planet.”

Eilish is also backing a new collaboration in the music industry called Music Declares Emergency U.S. Other artists in support of the group—which is the new US chapter of an existing European initiative and pushes for more governmental action—include Arcade Fire, Annie Lennox, Tom Odell, and Bon Iver.

A joint statement from the group reads: “The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time, and the power of music should take its place at the forefront of this important movement to create a safer, fairer, more sustainable world. The climate crisis is about science, not politics.”

Overheated is at the O2 Arena in London on June 10-12, 16, 25, and 26. Tickets are on sale now.

The post Billie Eilish To Host A 6-Day Climate Crisis Event In London This Summer appeared first on Plant Based News.

The latest announcement comes from down south. The popular Portsmouth Vegan Festival is set to return to the city next month, hosting more than 100 stalls. Visitors will be able to get their hands on plant-based food and cruelty-free toiletries, clothes, shoes, pet products, and more. 

Organizers said it will showcase the “best of the vegan lifestyle,” adding: “Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or looking to go vegan, this event has everything you could possibly need all under one roof.”

Visitors to the festival will also be able to choose from an incredible array of cuisines, with Caribbean caterer Brownins Food, Greek Vegan Deli, and House of Habesha – known for its authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian food – among the confirmed stockists. 

Attendees can also browse a diverse range of vegan brands, with everything from Mollie and Sky candles to eco-friendly fashion accessories from Vegan Upcycled Craft on offer.  

Portsmouth Vegan Festival will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the Mountbatten Centre. It will run from 10:30am until 4pm. Admission is £4, and free for under 16s.

You can also purchase a VIP ticket, which includes fast track entry and a vegan goody bag, for £15. 

Visit Vegan Events UK for more information

Portsmouth Vegan Festival is just one of a number of plant-based events confirmed for the UK this year. Manchester’s Northern Festival and Bath Vegan Festival will also be taking place in the coming weeks, followed by the hotly anticipated return of Vegan Campout in July. 

The post Portsmouth Vegan Festival Is Back, With Over 100 Plant-Based Stalls appeared first on Plant Based News.

With 10,000 (and counting) tickets already sold, Vegan Camp Out is set to wow masses of vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and those who just love great-tasting food.

“We’re so excited to announce our biggest food line-up for Vegan Camp Out yet. Sixty food vendors confirmed – making it the biggest selection of vegan food on offer in UK history!​” commented Vegan Camp Out founder Jordan Martin.

“Attendees can expect everything from Chinese, Indian, fish and chips, sushi, Filipino, Indonesian, raw, burgers, pizza, vegan chicken, hot dogs, Caribbean, donuts, ice cream, churros, and much much more! So foodies, have your wallet at the ready!”

Vegan Camp Out food options

Indeed, hungry festival-goers won’t be without choices at Vegan Camp Out 2022.

Purezza – voted the UK’s Best Vegan Restaurant by abillion in 2021 – will be serving up slices of its iconic plant-based pizza at the event. And Unity Diner, London’s largest vegan diner and cocktail bar, will make an appearance too. The diner, founded in 2018, is also a non-profit, funneling its earnings into various animal rights causes, including its very own farm animal sanctuary, which it established in 2020.

Burger-lovers at the festival will be in luck, with the likes of Halo Burger, Wholesome Junkies, and Frost Burgers setting up shop. Meanwhile, Chickenish and HUNS will be plating up meat-free chicken; and Eat of Eden, Jam Delish, Eat Some Ting, and Livity Plant Based Cuisine will be offering vegan Carribean cuisine. 

Plant-based sushi, Ethiopian, Indian, Indonesian, Chinese, hot dogs, fish and chips, hog roast, street food, Southern American-style barbeque, and kebabs, to name a few, will also be available. 

Sweet tooths need not be disappointed, with Project D, Booja-Booja, Conscious Candy Co, DÁPPA, and Doughnotts – among many others – serving ice cream, sweets, donuts, pancakes, coffee, and churros. 

For the full list of vendors, see below this article.

What’s on at Vegan Camp Out?

A host of influential names in the plant-based scene will take the stage at Vegan Camp Out, which is now in its sixth year. Like the event’s food range, the speaker line-up is slated to be the festival’s largest yet. 

Speakers include Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch, activist Earthling Ed, comedian Simon Amstell, television personality Lucy Watson, chef Gaz Oakley (Avant-Garde Vegan), Dirty Vegan star Matt Pritchard, musician Macka B, entrepreneur Heather Mills, comedian Preacher Lawson, and fitness coach Bianca Taylor.

Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of animal rights charity Viva!, will also speak at the upcoming event. Viva! is partnering with Vegan Camp Out this year, and is “delighted” to be doing so, according to Gellatley. 

Vegan Camp Out and Viva!’s partnership is rooted in their shared commitment to reducing animal suffering, promoting healthier and more compassionate food options, and working to protect planet Earth. 

In a statement, Gellatley praised the festival’s “impressive array of inspiring speakers, music, entertainment and, of course, loads of delicious food.” And, the friendly atmosphere of the annual event, which sees people from all walks of life brought together to celebrate cruelty-free living.

Vegan Camp Out 2022 will take place at Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6DH on July 15, 2022 to July 18, 2022. To purchase tickets or merchandise, see here. 

To visit Vegan Camp Out’s website, click here. And to learn more about the festival’s partner Viva!, head to the charity’s website right here. 

Complete list of vendors at Vegan Camp Out 2022, hope you are as excited as we are.

The post 60 Food Vendors Announced For World’s Biggest Vegan Festival appeared first on Plant Based News.

Festival-goers will not be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid test, show proof of vaccination status, or worry about contact tracing before or after the event.

The festival team welcomed the news that restrictions in England officially ended yesterday, and they expect a return to near-normal for the event this summer.

Vegan Camp Out will run from Friday, July 15 to Monday, July 18 at its new venue, Stanford Hall in Leicestershire.

Covid restrictions ending

The government announced an end to all legal Covid restrictions in England from February 24, nearly two years after the first rules were introduced in March 2020. 

According to the government’s Living with Covid plan, people no longer have to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid, although they’re still advised to do so. 

Routine contact tracing will also end and close contacts will no longer need to self-isolate or take daily tests. Covid passports won’t be recommended except for international travel. 

Face masks will no longer be legally required although ministers still suggest they be worn in crowded and enclosed public places. 

2022 agenda released 

Vegan Camp Out’s lineup this year is jam-packed, and includes vegan educator, public speaker, and content creator Earthing Ed. Actor, writer, and podcaster Evanna Lynch, best known for her role in the Harry Potter series, will also be in attendance.

Other famous faces include Lucy Watson, a British reality tv star, model, and entrepreneur who appeared in the award-winning television series Made in Chelsea. Gaz Oakley, aka Avant-Garde Vegan, a cookbook author who collaborated with Wagamama to craft its iconic plant-based egg, will also take to the stage.

Matt Pritchard, Heather Mills, Preacher Lawson, and Happy Pear will be sharing their vegan experiences at the celebrated event too.

The much-anticipated food area will include 45 exciting vendors offering vegan kebabs, pizzas, smoothies, curries, ice cream, cakes, and burgers, to name a few.

The festival team is keeping the final food list a secret until the event kicks off.

Previous years 

This year marks the sixth Vegan Camp Out. The festival came from humble beginnings, when in 2016, 400 people turned up from all over the country. 

The first event had no talks or stalls, just 400 people gathered together in a field in Derby with one food vendor. The gathering allowed people who’d only ever met online to meet in person for the first time.

In 2019, numbers increased to 7,500 attendees and this year that figure is expected to be double that.

Adult tickets cost £70 for the whole weekend and that includes a camping pass. And tickets for children will cost £35 for the weekend. 

Get your tickets from VeganCampOut.co.uk.

The post Vegan Camp Out 2022 Going Ahead As Covid Restrictions End appeared first on Plant Based News.

Plant-based pals nationwide and beyond can rejoice because next year, there will be a whole extra day of activities at a brand new location. It’s also expected to draw an audience stretching 15,000 – growing by 4,000 on last year’s totals, in line with the growth of the plant-based movement.

If you’re not excited yet, let us tantalize you with everything you need to know about the acclaimed event…

Vegan Camp Out 2022

Firstly, the organizers confirm next year’s date and the complete sought-after line-up. It’s to be held at the regal stately home of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, UK, from Friday, July 15, to Monday, July 18.

So, clear your calendars as here, an impressive array of figures huddle alongside wellness experts and top vegan food brands.

Amid live music, there will be talks and yoga classes, as well as activism workshops.

New this year are entrances from RuPaul Drag Race UK’s “plant-based princess” Bimini Bon Boulash, and grime artist JME.

Other additions include Lucy Watson, Avant-Garde Vegan, aka Gaz Oakley, comedians Simon Amstell and Preacher Lawson, and The Happy Pear.

Moreover, Monami Frost, Mic the Vegan, Matt Pritchard, Macka B, Heather Mills, Nimai Delgado, and Biana Taylor will be sharing their knowledge on stage.

A spokesperson told PBN: “We are so happy to be back for Vegan Camp Out number six. We’ve got our biggest line-up yet and are finally adding an additional day to the festival to give people more time. 

“We have now moved the venue and can’t wait for our biggest event yet! Watch this space.”

A ‘motivating’ movement

It all follows soaring success from last year’s event, which featured the likes of Russell Brand and Chris Packham. Equally, it comes after high praise was awarded as thousands rallied to learn about the benefits of going vegan despite the obstacles imposed due to COVID-19.

Partnering with Vegan Camp Out is leading vegan charity, Viva!. One of the speakers on the 2022 lineup is Juliet Gellatley, who is both founder and director of the organization.

The teams collided for their shared passion of spreading the vegan word, and that remains the focus of Camp Out 2022.

Viva! is “delighted” to partner again, Gellatley explains, as it is the charity’s favorite festival. This is because of its “impressive array of inspiring speakers, music, entertainment and, of course, loads of delicious food.” But most of all, according to Gellatley, is its friendly and motivating atmosphere.

Details on the food vendors are yet to be revealed, but Vegan Camp Out has confirmed there will be 45 in total. And, attendees can expect vegan goods from burgers, kebabs, Indian cuisine, to pizza, ice cream and donuts.

Adult tickets are priced at £70 for the entire weekend, which includes camping. For children, tickets cost £35.

You can order tickets here

You can find out more about Vegan Camp Out’s partner, the leading vegan campaigning charity Viva! here

This is a paid-for advertorial

The post Earthling Ed, Evanna Lynch And More To Headline World’s Largest Vegan Festival appeared first on Plant Based News.

A key figure within the growing vegan meat brand, Heura Foods, has hit out at COP26 organizers, branding it “irresponsible” to serve beef at the event.

Bernat Añaños Martinez is the company’s co-founder and chief marketing officer.

And in an impassioned speech at the UN climate crisis summit this week, he deplored organizers for not centralizing meat consumption in the debate.

‘Irresponsible’ food choices, says Heura Foods

“Animal meat is obsolete. It doesn’t make any sense in this century, it’s out,” he said.

But despite that, the food industry is one of the only global sectors that hasn’t evolved by taking meat off the table. In fact, it’s worse because of how we treat animals, he added.

Martinez added: “That’s why it’s very surprising at COP26 that we aren’t debating this. That’s one of the main topics…food should be at the very center.

“It is very irresponsible that beef is served at this restaurant, it doesn’t make any sense.”

“Could you imagine going to a cancer conference and giving cigarettes out? It would not make any sense. We’re at a climate emergency conference!”

Climate emergency

Heura Foods is a Spanish vegan meat brand that holds the mission of transforming the current food system by making it more sustainable and healthy.

The “tool” is plant-based meat, and all we need to do is make it more available, according to Martinez.

He ended his speech at COP26 by saying: “We vote three times a day, us humans and we can decide which impact we have on the world. 

“We have enough information to start to move forward to have a plant-based diet and have a better world for animals, the planet, and ourselves. So let’s move forward.”

Direct Action At COP26 2021

Co-founders Marc Coloma and Bernat Añaños also found a unique way to shed light on the facts through projection mapping from George Square, an area of Glasgow long known for political events and activism, demanding world leaders acknowledge the environmental impact of the current obsolete food system. 

“With the support of our Good Rebel community, we decided to take a stand and unleash the ‘elephant in the room,’ through large-scale projection mapping designed to raise awareness and demand change,” said Food Activist and Heura Co-Founder Bernat Añaños. “Our goal is to not only gain the attention of the powerful government officials having closed-door conversations but also to empower people all around the world to vote with their fork. Because at Heura we understand that every meal is an opportunity to drive positive change on the planet.” 

The post Vegan Meat Boss Hits Out At COP26 For ‘Irresponsibly’ Serving Beef appeared first on Plant Based News.

Countries dodge climate crisis commitments

Described as a ‘huge’ leak, it was an investigative team from Greenpeace that uncovered the news, the BBC reports. The outlet maintains that the two countries asked the UN to ‘play down’ the urgency of moving away from fossil fuel usage.

It comes just days before COP26, which is a summit where global leaders will gather to make serious commitments to meet environmental targets.

But the obtained documents record over 32,000 submissions made by governments and companies to the UN team responsible for compiling scientific evidence, with a view to funneling them through the decision-making process. This is carried out to ascertain the best ways to tackle climate change.

Fossil fuels and COP26

They mark a ‘crucial’ input in the negotiations, says the BBC, and yet many organizations argue the world does need to reduce its use of fossil fuels.

For example, a Saudi oil ministry advisor reportedly said: “Phrases like ‘the need for urgent and accelerated mitigation actions at all scales…’ should be eliminated from the report”. Other figures in the country also requested the UN remove calls to shift towards zero-carbon sources.

Moreover, an Australian government official denied the necessity of ending coal-fired power plants.

But it wasn’t all bad news, as the UN scientists confirmed the submissions are a standard part of the process. And, that they are not required to incorporate them into any reports.

Plant-based for the planet

Other organizations are making greener commitments ahead of COP26: with more than 50 global NGOs calling for the summit to be entirely plant-based. 

Elsewhere, politicians are getting ready to call for an end to animal agriculture to help meet the climate commitments at the summit.

This is in coalition with the Plant-Based Treaty initiative, which maintains the best way to combat the climate crisis is by ditching meat and dairy.

The post Countries Push Back On Climate Commitments Ahead Of COP26, Leaked Docs Reveal appeared first on Plant Based News.

Founded 37 years ago, TED amplifies the voices of thought leaders from various sectors across the globe. It does this by publishing talks online, all of which are 18 minutes or less. The talks cover social, political, scientific, cultural, and academic topics. 

TED’s videos have been viewed more than two billion times on its main YouTube channel.

And, videos produced by TEDx have garnered nearly six billion views.  TEDx is not controlled by TED, but follows the same format and receives guidance from the organization.

The Countdown Summit

TED’s recent climate conference, the Countdown Summit, united hundreds of leaders in Edinburgh, Scotland. Indigenous leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, policy makers, scientists, artists, philanthropists, and youth activists were in attendance.

There, they discussed what needs to be done to protect and restore the planet. This included laying out a blueprint for an attainable path to a net-zero future.

On October 30, a virtual YouTube event will display highlights from the summit. And, for the rest of the year, hundreds of TEDx Countdown events will be held to magnify these sustainability goals.

Plant-based menu

The summit’s fully plant-based menu was apt, given the event’s focus on sustainability. 

“Animal agriculture’s devastating impact on the environment cannot be overlooked: intensive animal farming is responsible for an estimated 14.5—16.5 percent of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions globally, on par with emissions levels of the entire transport sector,” said Elizabeth Novogratz, Executive Director of Species Unite, an animal rights non-profit.

“Studies show that reducing meat and dairy production and consumption is one of the most effective actions we can take to avoid catastrophic climate change.”

Novogratz noted that as well as affecting animal and human health, eating meat is the ‘primary cause’ of a great deal of environmental damage.

This damage is contributing to the ‘mass displacement of vulnerable communities, food scarcity in many parts of the world, critical habitat destruction, water pollution, and widespread animal extinctions’, she said.

Novogratz added: “We applaud TED for listening to the science by serving plant-based, climate-friendly food at their climate conference. This sends a clear message to the world that they are serious about tackling animal agriculture’s catastrophic impact on our planet.”

The post TED Applauded For 100% Vegan Menu At Its 1st In-Person Climate Summit appeared first on Plant Based News.

Climate Week NYC 2021

International nonprofit the Climate Group hosts the initiative every year, along with the United Nations and in partnership with the City of New York and COP26.

Governments, businesses, academic institutions, community groups, arts and music organizations, nonprofits and individuals can register an official Climate Week NYC event, to take place either in New York City or online. 

Last year, it held more than 500 events.

Climate Week NYC 2021 will feature workshops, discussions, digital art shows, music, and an expo of sustainable brands, among many others.

Food and the planet

Ten program themes will be covered: Built Environment, Energy, Industry, Environmental Justice, Transport, Finance, Sustainable Living, Nature, Policy, and Food.

The latter is a topic of increasing concern, as the world’s population continues to grow and with it, demand for food surges too.

But the population is steadily becoming more aware of the impact of diet on the planet. As a result, many are choosing to ditch meat and dairy consumption in favor of plant-based food. 

In line with this, World Animal Protection is hosting a vegan food truck event during Climate Week NYC. The nonprofit is teaming up with Daring Foods to hand out free vegan Jerk Chicken Satay from a hybrid solar-powered food truck on September 23. 

Climate Week NYC will take place September 20-26, 2021. For more information, see here.

The post Climate Week Returns To NYC (And Online) To Help Prompt Climate Action appeared first on Plant Based News.

The event is backed by LA CASERNE, Europe’s largest ecological transition accelerator for the fashion industry. The organization aims to make fashion one of the most sustainable and responsible industries worldwide.

The upcoming event marks the Conscious Festival’s first time in France. It has previously taken place in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as a virtual London event. 

Conscious Festival

The festival will feature various educational talks about conscious living, consumerism, climate inaction, Indigenous issues, and biodiversity.

Feminism, spirituality, and self-awareness, among other topics, will also be covered. 

Festival-goers will be able to participate in workshops and immersive experiences, including yoga, meditation, and breath work. 

The event will also feature food stalls as well as market stalls promoting sustainable hair care, beauty and clothing.

Musicians, DJs, dancers, and artists will perform and present their work at the event, too.

The Conscious Festival will be held shortly before Fashion Week Paris as a ‘way to send a strong message to the fashion industry’, a press release reads. 

The Conscious Festival will take place in Paris from 24-26 September. Some parts of the festival are available online for those who cannot attend. To learn more, see here.

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