This week, Richard Branson announced that he has been beef-free for months. In a public proclamation on his Virgin site, Branson states: “For the last few months, I have given up what was previously one of my favourite foods: beef. Eating less red meat can be healthier, better for the environment and – surprisingly to me – really easy to do so.”

He explains that there are “simple changes we can make in our everyday life that could have an impact.” Citing relevant statistics, such as that “meat consumption today contributes to global warming and environmental degradation. It’s estimated that 14.5% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock – which is more than the contribution from all forms of transport. Beef production makes up 41% of those emissions,” Branson sets the tone for his own decision.

Branson explains that he’s already feeling better after cutting beef from his life: “And as for yours truly, I feel healthier, more active and by making my diet more varied I never feel like I’m missing out on anything. Stopping eating beef has also had a knock-on effect on the rest of my diet, and I am eating less. ”

Branson has already shared with us his passion for the world’s oceans, and we applaud him making his own journey away from meat consumption public so as to inform and inspire others to try to do the same. If you’re interested in giving up meat, or at least cutting it down, you can check out our handy guide to removing meat from your diet right here on One Green Planet.

If you’re not already meat-free, does Branson’s beef-free move inspire you to consider cutting it from your own diet? If not, what might make you take the plunge too?

Image source: Virgin