Pleasure with a purpose
Pleasure with a purpose
Opening of the new canteen at Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz
The decision to eat a plant-based diet goes far beyond the individual health benefits. It is a significant step that has a direct impact on the environment. At a time when the impact of climate change and resource scarcity on our planet is becoming increasingly apparent, the discussion about the environmental footprint of our diet is becoming hugely important. Switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet is at the center of this debate, as it is seen as one of the most effective ways to reduce the ecological footprint.
"A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce the impact [of the climate crisis]." [1]
Information on the new, more sustainable canteen
Where: Lia Cafeteria, Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1090 Wien, 1. floor
When: Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Meals: vegetarian and vegan, €5.70 each. With ÖH canteen sticker only €4.70.
The figures speak for themselves:
83% of the world's agricultural land is used for the production of animal-based foods, which provide only 18% of global calories.
83% of the world's agricultural land is used for the production of animal-based foods, which provide only 18% of global calories. However, 17% of the land used for plants and people provides 82% of global calories.
This comparison of the greenhouse gas emissions of different foods also makes it clear that individual diets have a major impact on our environment.
The graph shows that beef, cheese, milk and pork in particular cause a lot of CO2 emissions per protein.
Did you already know?
Unlike in Germany, there is no legal mandate in Austria to provide food for university members, but it is nevertheless important to the University of Vienna to contribute to a more ecologically sustainable food offering. With this in mind, the University of Vienna is endeavoring to make it easier for its students and staff to choose a plant-based diet and is looking for purely vegan and vegetarian providers for canteen locations that are newly leased. In the case of the canteen at Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz (Faculties of Mathematics and Economics), this has fortunately been successful. The canteen has been open since the beginning of November and will offer three vegan dishes and another vegetarian dish every day. The canteen is run by Library Café, which can already be found at two other locations in Vienna.
Want to find out more?
Click here for the Rudolphina Magazine: "Why we should all become (a little) vegan" (German)
[1] J.Poore in The Guardian: Avoiding meat and dairy is ‘single best way’ to reduce your impact on Earth. www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth