Washington State University Carbon Masters, in partnership with Fidalgo Design, announce an awareness campaign to reduce Bellingham’s carbon footprint.  The month long campaign, titled Bellingham Meat Free Monday, challenges residents to reduce their meat consumption by not eating meat on Mondays for the month of October. 

"We are asking people to think about what they eat and how it effects the environment.” explains Gail Nelson, Meat Free Monday organizer. “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the livestock industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than transportation. Eliminating meat one day a week is a simple thing that anyone can do to help reduce those emissions.” 

Participants can pledge to eat meat free on Mondays in October by signing up at www.BellinghamMeatFreeMonday.com. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about global warming and encourage people to eat more sustainable foods.

Organizers are asking local businesses to help promote the campaign.  “We’re not looking for businesses to donate money,” said Amy Vergillo, Meat Free Monday coordinator and owner of Fidalgo Design.  “We’re simply asking them to help educate the public about their food choices.”

Businesses are encouraged support Meat Free Monday in a variety of ways, such as offering vegetarian dinner specials, displaying books about global warming, showing environmental films, or offering a vegetarian cooking class.

About Carbon Masters:
Washington State University Extension, in partnership with Western Washington University and the University of Washington, developed the Carbon Masters™ program to train, equip and manage a core group of volunteers on climate change issues.  Carbon Masters focus on changing public behaviors that contribute to climate change and providing tools to adapt. Public outreach includes interactive teaching methods, peer-to-peer connections, social marketing techniques and civic engagement. Like other Extension programs, volunteers give back to the community in exchange for the training.  More information about Carbon Masters can be found at http://whatcom.wsu.edu/carbonmasters/

About Fidalgo Design:
Fidalgo Design, a full-service marketing and design firm in Bellingham, Washington specializes in serving small and medium size businesses.  Owner Amy Vergillo has experience marketing environmentally sustainable businesses and offers an array of services, such as graphic design, public awareness campaigns, and copywriting.  More information about Fidalgo Design can be found at http://fidalgodesigns.com

Contact:  Amy Vergillo, Fidalgo Design, 360-920-6805.