Brighton MP goes vegan and urges garden centres to stop selling damaging peat-based compost

The MP for Brighton Pavilion has written to all garden centres in Brighton and Hove, asking them to end the sale of peat-based compost.

With interest in gardening growing hugely in the past year, Caroline said most of them would be horrified to realise most of the compost they’re buying is fuelling the climate crisis.

In her letter Caroline said: "As a garden centre, one of the biggest differences you could make this Earth Day would be to stop the sale of peat-based compost.

"When it comes to carbon storage, protecting our peatlands is critical. Globally, peatlands store half a trillion tonnes of carbon, twice as much as the world’s forests. That this precious store of carbon is unearthed so that we can plant flowers and plants is causing unmitigated damage – and is doing so needlessly, given there are perfectly good alternatives."

Caroline has also pledged to ditch meat, dairy, and other animal-derived foods for the day after teaming up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) along with dozens of other MPs.

Caroline said: "All the evidence indicates that both fossil fuel divestment and dietary change are needed to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

“I’ve been a vegetarian for many years and am moving towards a fully plant-based diet because I care about the impact of the meat and dairy industry on the Earth, animals and my own health. Dietary change has never been easier, and I encourage everyone to give it a try.”

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to eat' said evidence says every person who goes vegan can lower their carbon footprint by up to 73 per cent and save nearly 200 animals per year.

Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Find out more, here: What is Earth Day and how can I get involved in Sussex? |

Did you also read: Petition calls for more plant-based meals for schoolchildren in Brighton and Hove |