Jakarta – In celebrating World Vegan Day, the Vegan Squad Indonesia issued an open letter to President Prabowo Subianto, urging strategic policy changes to mitigate climate change. The letter, read during a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta, on Saturday, November 2, calls for Indonesia to address its climate vulnerability by reducing meat consumption, preserving forests, and promoting vegan and plant-based diets.
“The shift of Indonesia’s position to a country with a very high risk of disasters shows that Indonesia has a high level of exposure, vulnerability and susceptibility to disasters, while there is a lack of disaster management capacity and a lack of adaptation to disasters,” the letter argues.
Highlighting Indonesia’s heightened risk of natural disasters due to climate change, the Vegan Squad emphasises the environmental damage from the livestock industry. They cite greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution as critical contributors to global warming, urging immediate government action.
The Vegan Squad’s recommendations include policies to decrease meat consumption, educate the public on plant-based diets, and bolster local plant-based food production. They believe these steps will contribute to a sustainable future for Indonesia and the planet.
The letter concludes with a call for President Prabowo’s administration to lead Indonesia in addressing these pressing environmental concerns through vegan and plant-based initiatives.
Vegan Squad Indonesia is a non-profit community of volunteers whose mission is to raise awareness about veganism and its health and environmental benefits and to support and inspire people to try living a vegan lifestyle. Veganism is a plant-based diet consisting entirely of plant-based foods. (nsh)
