Face Off: Should Hong Kong schools have a weekly vegetarian day?

It should be no surprise that the overconsumption of meat has led to severe harm to our planet, with consequences including the release of greenhouse gases and the loss of vital biodiversity.

In light of this, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserted that reducing meat consumption was crucial in lowering our impact on the climate. Vegetarian days at school are an accessible and logical way to do just that.

It is possible to be sceptical of this strategy’s effectiveness. Could changing diets for a single day each week have a tangible environmental impact? Yes. Even one meal can make a difference.

A 2023 study by the University of Oxford looked at the effect of halving meat consumption by people in the UK who usually ate more than 3.5 ounces (99.2 grams) of meat daily. It found that the move would have the same impact as taking 8 million cars off the road.

Weekly vegetarian days would also have other benefits. Students could experience meat-free diets in an approachable, low-commitment way. Some might even be encouraged to add more plant-based food to their diet.

This is a positive for the long term, especially in Hong Kong, where 98 per cent of people aged 15 or older do not eat enough fruit and vegetables daily. Nutrition education should be encouraged and promoted.

Of course, students may feel dissatisfied with the quality of the vegetarian foods that schools tend to provide. The answer to this lies in collaboration.

Schools should ensure that the plant-based food options are high-quality and tasty so that students will appreciate and anticipate vegetarian days. This is particularly important to combat any negative student perceptions about vegetarian meals.

The introduction of meat-free days is far from being an unrealistic dream. For years, initiatives such as the “Meatless Monday” campaign, which encourages eliminating meat one day a week and eventually shifting towards more plant-based foods, have embraced this strategy.

Locally, organisations such as Green Monday are already implementing youth-focused programmes, partnering with more than 800 schools to promote meat-free meals and sustainability awareness. One day a week can make a difference if we believe in it.

Should schools be required to have a subject dedicated to climate change?

Climate change and the imminent crisis it poses are indisputable. Some advocates recommend schools serve a weekly vegetarian meal to give the next generation a better tomorrow.

According to research, a vegetarian diet can reduce food-related carbon emissions by up to 75 per cent compared to a meat-based one. Evidence also suggests a vegetarian diet is good for one’s health.

Some schools have taken note, offering a weekly vegetarian day to kill two birds with one stone, slowing down global warming and improving student health. However, the strategy may not be that effective for achieving these goals.

First, all vegetarian food is not necessarily healthier than meat.

For example, you could have a vegetarian meal with fried items that are less healthy than non-fried chicken breasts. School cooks may also not be adept at making appetising vegetarian meals.

Students may resort to generally unhealthy food if schools serve lower-quality and unappealing options. It could lead to students being put off by vegetables and feasting on meat outside school hours, which defeats the initiative’s purpose.

Many students do not enjoy eating vegetables. According to research from Polytechnic University, nearly 50 per cent of interviewees fail to eat a single serving of fruit each day or a serving of vegetables with each meal. On the weekly vegetarian day, some students might skip lunch. This could leave them feeling sluggish and tired.

A better option would be to educate students about climate change and sustainability. Part of this education could include information on plant-focused diets. This way, the choice is put in the hands of the students.

Instead of a vegetarian day, schools could host cooking competitions to promote meat-free meals. Competitors could create dishes using vegetarian ingredients, such as vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. Students could see for themselves that such food can also be delicious.

These meals may help students change their opinions on eating vegetables and become more willing to accept them.

A weekly vegetarian day in schools is not the right move. Instead, schools should focus on educating students about the benefits of vegetables, promoting cooking competitions and teaching them how to make delicious meals.