Livestock not only produce half of global greenhouse gases, but also place a very heavy burden on the planet’s resources. It takes 16 pounds of grain and soya beans to produce one pound of beef; one acre of land can grow 2,000 pounds of potatoes but only produce 165 pounds of beef; and it takes 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat.

For these reasons I hope Brighton and Hove City Council will join the Meat-Free Monday campaign. The Belgian city of Ghent is already meat-free for one day a weeky.

Local organisations including council offices, schools, restaurants and meals on wheels services, could voluntarily agree to serve only vegetarian options one day a week in a collective bid to help protect the environment and reduce the area’s eco footprint.

Mark Richards, Halland Road, Brighton