talk
february 2009
5:00pm - 5:50pm
Eating Up the World
Fri 20th February 09 | 5:00pm - 5:50pm
Feast tent
hosted by | Vegetarian Network Victoria
Mark Doneddu and Bruce Poon demonstrate how what you eat directly impacts the environment, particularly in the Australian and Victorian context. The solutions offered that achieve the best outcomes for the environment, are also the ways in which we can achieve optimum health. The material draws on the latest research from Australia (CSIRO, ABARE, AGO) and the World (UN FAO, Earthsave etc.) to put the jigsaw together of just how much we could change in our environment, with minor changes to our diets. With urgent problems facing the world, including water shortages, climate change, deforestation and species extinction, it is timely to look at a solution to these problems that is within our reach. The talk includes some dramatic examples of just how big an impact our eating habits can have. Some people are becoming aware that producing animal products results in large amounts of land degradation and greenhouse gases, while taking significantly more water to produce than vegetables. However many have not switched over to a plant based diet due to perceptions that plant based diets miss vital nutrients, are bland or difficult to stick to. This talk will also dispel all those myths, showing how a plant based diet is not only the healthiest diet of all, but it easy to stick to and offers a great variety of delicious, easy to prepare meals.
Mark Doneddu
Bruce Poon Bruce Poon is a volunteer for Vegetarian Network Victoria. His main focus is on informing himself and others of the real advantages for the world of adopting a purely vegetarian lifestyle. This includes the environmental benefits, health benefits, reduction in suffering, economic and other societal benefits. He conducts lectures for schools and councils in Melbourne and tries to extend the knowledge of vegetarianism to those within the 'green' community. He is a member of The Greens in Victoria. Bruce is also the Founder and Chairman of OzQuest: Young Australian Adventures ( www.ozquest.org) which is a charity that takes young Australians overseas to perform community and scientific work in the majority world. He is currently leading the expedition program to Namibia in Africa. Bruce is on the board of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Victoria. In his spare time, Bruce is also the CEO of two computer companies, designs computer games, develops eco-friendly property and learns swing dancing. Mark Doneddu Mark has had extensive experience researching vegetarian health issues as well as the environmental impacts of a healthy vegetarian diet. He regularly develops and presents talks on behalf of VNV (Vegetarian Network Victoria) regarding vegetarian issues, including the sustainability of a meat- free diet. As well as being President of VNV, Mark is also the Event Manager for World Vegan Day and is a regular guest speaker for organisations such as student groups and university clubs and has spoken several times before at the Sustainable Living Festival. Mark was most recently interviewed on ABC Radio National’s Bush Telegraph program, and is often interviewed by both radio and newspapers, on health and environmental issues.
Vegetarian Network Victoria Inc. (VNV), founded in 1998, is a not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. It is run by people who care about the environment, human and animal welfare. VNV is devoted to promoting the many benefits of vegetarianism and providing quality service, support and up-to-date information to vegetarians, vegans and the general community. VNV promotes vegetarian lifestyles as a more healthy, humane and "environmentally friendly" way of living. It also provides and distributes up-to-date information relevant to vegetarians and those interested in vegetarianism. VNV also promotes vegetarian foods and related businesses and services, and offers support by answering questions (via email, telephone, post). It also provides a support network for vegetarians and organises regular social events.
media.enquiries@vnv.org.au