After the Dragon Boat Festival, it feels as though summer has hit the fast-forward button. Roads radiate heat under the blazing sun, temperatures routinely climb above 35°C (95°F), and many people find themselves asking the same question: Why does every summer seem hotter than the last?
As extreme weather becomes our new normal, are we simply expected to endure rising temperatures, or can we do something about it?
Around the world, many young people are already searching for answers. From Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, and Stanford to universities across Europe, a quiet revolution is taking place—not in laboratories, but on cafeteria trays.
In late 2021, students at three universities in the United Kingdom launched the Plant-Based Universities campaign, calling for campuses to provide more plant-based meals. Their goal was simple: make everyday food choices that support not only human health, but also the environment and animal welfare.
In just a few years, the movement has expanded beyond the UK to Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Poland. Today, active campaigns are underway at more than 70 universities across Europe, with the movement continuing to grow.
More than 850 academics and public figures have also signed an open letter in support of the campaign, arguing that transforming our food system is one of the most meaningful actions universities can take in response to the climate crisis and the pursuit of sustainability.
As more universities incorporate plant-based dining into their sustainability strategies, a new trend is emerging.
Campuses are no longer just places for learning—they are becoming powerful catalysts for social change.
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