Did you know?

If everyone in America went vegetarian just for one day, the U.S. would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide, as much as is produced by all of France,

What you can do:

Consider Meatless Meals one day each week. If you replace meat with vegetarian meals one day a week, you can credit yourself for 700 pounds of CO₂ reduction per year. Lowering the amount of meat you consume also lowers your risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Click here for some great vegetarian recipes.

Buy local. Buying local or growing your own food can reduce the energy needed to transport produce by 1,000 miles or more.  Support local farmers by shopping at Brookline Farmers' Market.  In summer, the Farmer's Market is located in the Centre Street parking lot, runs from June to October, and is open Thursdays 1:30 pm to dusk, rain or shine. The Winter Marketplace runs Sunday afternoons from November to June in the Arcade Building on Harvard Street. Read more about the Winter Marketplace here.

Diet and Climate Change Resources

• Download a seasonal guide to New England produce here
• Understand food's impact on Climate Change download here
• Download information on vegetarian and vegan diet myths
• Understand how dietary change can reduce impacts on the climate download here (from the World Preservation Foundation)

Allandale Farm, Brookline's last working farm, is another source of locally grown produce. The farm offers a Community Supported Agriculture program where consumers purchase a share of the coming season's harvest. Shares for the coming season become available in January.

Interested in composting? Contact Ed Gilbert, Brookline's Department of Public Works, who works with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The DPW offers compost bins and rain barrels at a discounted price.