An article in yesterday’s Observer caught my eye – the argument that the UK needs a boom in its production of fruit and veg for a multitude of reasons, notably to reduce reliance on oil derivative fertilisers and the need to combat climate change.

Reading the article further underlined my thoughts while waiting for my vegetarian meal on Eurostar between London and Brussels on Friday*. It’s my choice to be a vegetarian, and sometimes it’s frustrating, waiting for the after-thought veggie alternative while everyone else is being served. Canteens and institutionalised food are the worst – there’s is the assumption that if you eat meat, then you should be served meat, or simply a choice between meat and fish.

So I reckon it’s time for some non-radical vegetarianism. By this I mean that individuals do not have to pledge to not eat meat, but ways need to be found to allow individuals to have more meat free options as standard, and to henceforth reduce meat consumption. It should be fine for one of the two standard meals on Eurostar, or in work canteens across Europe, to be vegetarian and for this to be available for everyone, and for that to be socially acceptable.

If you’re not convinced then look at Spiegel on meat emissions.

* – yes, I booked late, and Leisure Select was the same price as Standard Class… But at least it gave me the idea for a blog entry!