Program Overview: Anika Arora and Divya Arora, while they were middle school students in Parsippany Hills, NJ, worked to bring Meatless Monday to their school cafeteria and encouraged the participation of the local community after learning of the environmental dangers associated with industrial meat production.
Objective: Raise awareness among students and local residents about the importance of plant-based eating and the environmental damage from industrial meat production.
Process: The Arora sisters researched how the meat industry is a significant driver of climate change and used this information to educate classmates and petition their principal and district superintendent. They worked with their school’s foodservice team to feature Meatless Monday and highlight meat-free dishes. They also collaborated with local environmental groups and launched a website that describes how people can minimize their carbon footprint through their food choices.
Outcome: Anika and Divya Arora successfully introduced Meatless Monday to their middle school cafeteria and petitioned the district superintendent to bring the program to schools district wide. The Arora sisters – now in high school – continue to advocate for Meatless Monday and plant-based eating on their website, Simply-Green.org. The site explains how individuals can reduce their carbon footprint through advocacy, lifestyle changes, and education.
Anika and Divya have gone above and beyond their regular schoolwork to help promote Meatless Monday. Using Meatless Monday’s educational materials, they raised awareness about the connection between meat production and climate change.
After learning that the meat industry is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, the Arora sisters created a presentation that they shared with the school environmental club, the principal, and the district superintendent. The presentation proved so powerful that the principal encouraged the Arora sisters to bring their proposal to the foodservice operator. Although meat remained on the menu, the foodservice team agreed to promote Meatless Monday and highlight their meat-free dishes.
But the sisters didn’t stop there. Galvanized by the support of their teachers, faculty, and fellow students, they teamed up with the Parsippany Green Team to present their research to the local environmental advisory committee, school principals, board of education, and town council. They went on to promote their cause at town green fairs, where they educated the community on reducing carbon footprint.
After years of hard work and grassroots campaigning, Anika and Divya were among the winners of the 24th annual Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards, showing everyone that you don’t have to be a celebrity, executive, or high-powered politician to make a change in your community.
