Last week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with hundreds of scientists from 113 countries, determined conclusively that man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming. They predicted devastating droughts and hurricanes, and extensive flooding of coastal areas, displacing millions.

A report released by the United Nations in November blamed animal agriculture for 18 percent of these emissions — more than automobiles. Carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and by combustion of fossil fuels to operate farm machinery, trucks, refrigeration equipment, factory farms and slaughterhouses. The much more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from the digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools, respectively.

We don’t have to wait for Earth Day to help save our planet. We can start with the next trip to the supermarket. Meanwhile, we can check out the details at www.veggiesforecology.org.