I was left grateful ““ and hungry ““ after reading about the impressive vegan additions to the dining halls in Avni Nijhawan’s “Catering our needs” (May 17). UCLA is becoming one of the leaders in catering to demand for healthier, plant-based foods.
The United Nations concluded that livestock are responsible for more greenhouse gases than all forms of transportation combined. The University of Chicago also found that individuals can reduce their carbon footprint more by switching from a standard American diet to a vegan diet than by switching from a standard sedan to a hybrid.
The routine abuses that animals endure on modern factory farms would merit felony cruelty-to-animals charges if dogs or cats were victims. Pigs are kept in crates so small that they cannot even turn around. Egg-laying hens have their beaks cut off and must live in cages so small that they cannot spread a single wing.
UCLA students now have the opportunity to stay healthy, help the planet and protect animals.
Drew Winter
College campaigns assistant, peta2