In Maryland, USA, the city of Takoma Park enjoyed its first Veg Week from April 24 to April 30, 2009, an event inspired by state Senator Jamie Raskin after he acknowledged the devastating consequences of meat consumption to the planet.

Senator Raskin(m): I've been seeing as a state Senator the environment costs of livestock production in our state and what the poultry industry has meant to the environment. Because it's a source of pollutants and toxic contamination, nitrogen run-off in the Chesapeake Bay as well as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and so therefore, to global warming, the over arching peril that threatens all of us.

VOICE: Senator Raskin wrote to the Takoma Voice journal, calling on all local residents to choose vegetarian meals for one week. This led the nonprofit organization Compassion Over Killing to initiate the weeklong event, which was then officially designated by Mayor Bruce Williams as Takoma Park Veg Week. Executive Director for Compassion Over Killing, Erica Meier, explained more.

Erica Meier(F): It specifically encourages people to to choose vegetarian foods because a meat-based diet has been shown to be harmful for our health. It has been shown to harm the planet and it also is responsible for tremendous animal suffering.

VOICE: With local restaurants also agreeing to serve additional vegetarian options, businesses and individuals alike joined in the exciting pledge to be veg and contribute to a sustainable world.

Madina (f): Hi, I’m Madina, I’m with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet.

Senator Raskin(m): I'm psyched, at least for one week, hopefully more, to be part of this vegetarian community.

VOICE: Bravo, Senator Raskin, Mayor Williams, Executive Director Meier, Compassion Over Killing and all others for your Earth-saving initiative in making Takoma Park Veg Week a reality. May people the world over quickly adopt this noble lifestyle for the health of all beings and the planet.

For more information about the Takoma Park Veg Week, please visit TakomaVegWeek.com.