US VegWeek 2013 Kicks Off Today – Earth Day!

Today marks the 43^rd anniversary of Earth Day, a day intended to encourage individuals to take meaningful actions in their everyday lives that contribute to preserving the planet. But in the words of late Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson who founded Earth Day, “Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.”

Animal agriculture wreaks havoc on the environment in numerous ways: global warming, air and water pollution, wasted resources, land use, and biodiversity loss.

In addition, raising animals for food causes immense animal suffering. Each year in the US, nine billion birds, pigs, and cows are killed for us to eat. Without adequate laws to protect them, most are tormented for months prior to slaughter. In fact, many of the routine abuses the animals experience are so cruel, they’d result in criminal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon the dogs and cats with whom we share our homes.

Without a doubt, what we eat matters. And the single most important action we can take to protect the planet—and animals—is choosing plant-based foods.

That’s why today is not just Earth Day–it also kicks off US VegWeek!

This nationwide campaign empowers people to create a kinder, greener, and healthier world, simply by choosing vegetarian foods. Thousands of people across the country—including scores of federal, state, and local lawmakers—are taking a 7-Day VegPledge.

Thousands more will attend the 150+ celebratory events throughout 32 states, and even more will dine at the 135 restaurants in 21 states offering delicious US VegWeek specials—including all Loving Hut, Sprinkles, and Veggie Grill stores!

NBA star John Salley will jumpstart the festivities in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Peter Singer, author of the classic Animal Liberation will lecture in Boston, Massachusetts. People can enjoy Vegucated and Forks Over Knives screenings in Washington, DC, and Oakland, California, and bake sales from Boca Raton, Florida to Chicago, Illinois. For our foodies, we’ve got vegan cheese-making and sushi-making classes, among other delectable food demonstrations. Balancing out these fancy feasts, there’s pizza and beer and pub grub too. But that’s not all—check out our handy map and full list of events and restaurants.

It’s not too late to join the fun! Pledge now and invite others to join you.