Earth Day (April 22) arrives this year in the shadow of endless doomscrolling: Record-shattering heat, cities swallowed by rising waters, devastating wildfires and conflicts around the globe seize the headlines, each catastrophe sliding into the next with the flick of a thumb.

It’s no surprise that we’re anxious. And yet, when we do something to help, it can become a source of hope.

For me, hope begins at the table.

Eating vegan is the most immediate climate action I can take—one that cuts pollution, reduces pressure on ecosystems and spares fellow animals who also call this planet “home.”

Research from the University of Oxford shows that ditching meat, eggs and dairy delivers the largest reduction in environmental impact from food. Other analyses show that meals centered on grains, beans, fruits and vegetables use far less land and water and generate dramatically fewer emissions than animal-derived foods.

Climate‑warming emissions act like an extra blanket around the planet, trapping heat and loading the atmosphere with energy. That added heat intensifies storms, supercharges wildfires, worsens flooding and pushes temperatures to new extremes. And as Mother Nature rages, so does human conflict.

New research shows that just two weeks of the U.S.- and Israel-led war on Iran released more than 5 million metric tons of carbon pollution, matching the annual emissions of 84 countries combined. The largest sources came from destroyed homes, schools and medical centers, along with burning oil facilities and nonstop military fuel use. And as humans suffer greatly, companion animals are often lost, harmed or left behind, while animals in nature are killed or left homeless.

This is why food choices matter. When the world feels out of control, we can turn to what’s within reach—choosing each day to make an impact where we can.

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, raising animals for food accounts for roughly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Forests are cleared to grow feed crops or create grazing land, forcing animals in nature out of their homes. And waste from today’s farms pollutes waterways. Choosing vegan meals directly reduces demand for items made from animals.

Vegan foods also support mental well‑being.

Studies link foods rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains with improved mood and lower stress. One widely cited paper published in the American Journal of Public Health found that folks who ate the most fruits and vegetables reported higher life satisfaction than those who ate the least.

As a parent, I often think about children. Global surveys show that many young people are anxious about the future of the planet. What helps is showing them that compassion can be practiced daily. In my home, that looks like simple swaps, such as oat milk in cereal and vegan nuggets instead of chicken ones—in other words, familiar meals made kinder.

Chickens, pigs, cows, fish and other animals raised for food are living, feeling beings who experience fear and joy. But animal agriculture treats them as “commodities” rather than as individuals. Choosing vegan meals brings a sense of relief—because no one has to suffer for what’s on our plates.

When headlines feel overwhelming, it helps to remember this: One meal can make a difference. So this Earth Day—and every day—let’s go vegan.

_____

Rebecca Libauskas is a climate research specialist for the PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; www.PETA.org.

_____

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.