Fourteen American cities to implement bans on meat and dairy consumption as part of ambitious climate goals
In a bold move aimed at addressing climate change, fourteen major American cities have set their sights on banning meat and dairy consumption, as well as the use of private automobiles, within the next seven years. These cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco, are part of a global climate organization known as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
The C40 group, which is helmed and predominantly funded by Democrat billionaire Michael Bloomberg, has outlined an ambitious target to achieve zero kilograms of meat consumption, zero kilograms of dairy consumption, three new clothing items per person per year, zero private vehicle ownership, and one short-haul return flight (less than 1500 km) every three years per person. These goals are detailed in the organization’s report titled The Future of Urban Consumption in a 1.5°C World published in 2019 and reemphasized in 2023.
While nearly 100 cities worldwide are part of the C40 group, the emphasis is on American cities, including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. These cities are home to a significant portion of the American population.
Critics argue that these goals reflect an elitist and totalitarian approach, encroaching upon personal liberties. They draw parallels to the Duke of Wellington’s opposition to passenger railroads, as he believed they would contribute to social unrest by granting greater freedom of movement to the lower classes. Similarly, climate activists are advocating for climate lockdowns, in line with the Covid-19 lockdowns, which would include measures such as restricting air travel and establishing a maximum income level. These proposals not only impede personal freedom but potentially hinder access to basic necessities, such as transportation and nutrition.
The extreme proposals don’t stop there. Dr. Matthew Liao, a bioethicist linked to the World Economic Forum (WEF), has even suggested genetically modifying humans to develop allergies to meat and shrinking human size through eugenics or hormone injections to reduce resource consumption.
While proponents argue that addressing climate change requires drastic measures, skeptics assert that these initiatives go against the principles of personal liberty upon which society was founded. Restricting meat consumption is particularly contentious, considering that it has been fundamental to human existence since time immemorial. Hunting and consuming meat were integral to early human society, signaling the birth of technology and our human brain development. While a plant-based diet can meet a person’s energy needs, animal protein has historically played a crucial role in our diet and enjoyment of food.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how these cities will navigate the implementation of such far-reaching bans. Any attempts to legislate these measures are likely to face strong opposition and legal challenges from advocates of personal freedoms. Regardless, the discussion surrounding climate change and individual liberties persists, with contrasting viewpoints on how best to address this global crisis.
