Paul McCartney's veggie world

Jul 10, 2007, 11:00 GMT

07/04/2007 - Paul McCartney - Mary McCartney Private Photography Exhibit Entitled \'Backup\' and Charity Auction - Oxo Tower Gallery - London, England © Solarpix / PR Photos

Sir Paul McCartney wants everyone to become vegetarians to stop global warming.

The Beatles legend believes the world would be a better place if people stopped eating meat, because it would stop the destruction of rain forests.

Animal rights campaigner Paul said: "Livestock farming is one of the biggest destroyers of the planet. When you see the trees in the Amazon being cut down for hamburger cattle, that's pretty obvious.

"And it's all done in the name of something that benefits humans, when in fact it's the opposite. It's all about attitudes, no one thinks they are the one who has to change."

Paul's late first wife Linda introduced him to vegetarianism in the 70s.

Linda launched a range of meat-free cookbooks and a line of frozen vegetarian meals under the 'Linda McCartney' name.

She was a passionate animal rights campaigner and following her death from breast cancer in 1998, Paul said the best tribute to her memory would be for fans to become vegetarians.

Paul also recalled a fight Linda once had with Prince Philip - the then-president of the World Wildlife Fund.

Paul revealed: "Linda said, 'You're the head of a wildlife organisation, how can you go out shooting birds?' He asked, 'Are you vegetarian?' trying to catch us out. 'Yeah!' we both answered. Shooting birds, that's hypocrisy. It's not even a sport."

(C) BANG Media International