Livestock 'at the heart of environmental problems'

Livestock creates more emissions that planes, boats, trains and ships put together, it has been claimed.

Tony Wardle, associate director at Viva! – Vegetarians International Voice for Animals, said livestock accounts for around 18 per cent of all greenhouse gasses.

In addition, livestock is at the heart of all other environmental problems, including the spreading of deserts, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, he claimed.

By giving up meat, people can cut their carbon footprint significantly, because emissions from animals "eclipse everything else".

"Because it is so much bigger than anything else, the first thing has to be to stop eating meat, fish and dairy," he explained.

Speaking exclusively to the Independent recently, Sir Paul McCartney said that unless something is done, the planet will be left in a mess for future generations.

The musician has launched a new Meat Free Monday campaign, aimed at encouraging people to avoid animal products at least once a week.

Written by Claire Manning