Manila - Three animal rights activists stopped traffic in the Philippine capital on Friday when they urged Filipinos to become vegetarians at a public plaza while wearing only lettuce leaves.

The "sexy lettuce ladies" of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) visited Plaza Miranda in downtown Manila as part of the group's campaign for Earth Day.

Holding signs that read "Save the Planet. Go Vegetarian," the scantily clad activists greeted people at the plaza and explained to them why going vegetarian would help save the planet.

"Meat production has a devastating impact on the environment," said Ashley Fruno, one of PETA's "lettuce ladies."

"With so many delicious alternatives to meat now available, it's easier than ever to enjoy great food while saving animals and the planet," she added.

In the statement, PETA noted that aside from causing the suffering of billions of animals, the consumption of meat and other animal products also contributes to global warming.

It cited a UN study that showed that "raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, SUVs, planes and boats in the world combined."

"In addition, feeding, transporting and slaughtering farmed animals and packaging, transporting and storing their flesh wastes enormous amounts of energy," PETA added.

The group lamented that cows, pigs, chicken and other animals raised for consumption "are dehorned and debeaked and have their teeth, tails and testicles cut off - all without any painkillers."

"They are kept in crowded, filthy enclosures and denied everything that is natural and important to them," it said in a statement.

"At the slaughterhouse, animals routinely are hung upside-down, have their throats cut, and are skinned and scalded to death while still conscious," PETA added. (dpa)