At a summer event four years ago, Dr. Joel Fuhrman spoke to our audience about the importance of an essentially vegan diet. "A little chicken, every now and then" is what he personally added to a diet comprised largely of dark leafy vegetables, fruits, and grains.
That same summer, chef Roni Shapiro, owner of a vegan delivery service called Healthy Gourmet to Go, came to the farm on weekends for a series of cooking demonstrations and tastings. As I introduced her to the audience, I said something like, "It's not appropriate for me to tell you not to eat animals. Instead, it's my job to say "look who these animals are. Once you see who they are and how much like us they are, then perhaps you'll reconsider your choices." Roni would get up then and say, "Well, I can tell you not to eat animals. PLEASE DON'T EAT ANIMALS."
Four years and hundreds more connections with animals and one book later, it's time to revise my message. Time to actively encourage people to alter their diets not only for the animals' sake--I, for one, don't want to participate in their misery and terror--but because the future of our planet is at stake.
Agribusiness is wreaking havoc. Earth is hot and getting hotter, and climactic devastation is around the corner. Methane from cows, the razing of the ecologically important Amazon in order to graze cattle or to grow what feeds them, the melting of the North Pole due to warm air
being trapped by greenhouse gases--most notably methane--the killing of so many of our waterways by the waste of pigs, chickens, cows---
Our planet needs for us to stop eating animals.
Though he doesn't specifically mention agribusiness, take a look at Amy Goodman's interview (Democracy Now) of Tim Flannery, a leading scientist recently named Australian of the Year. And after you do, vow to drive less, to convert to solar, to put your hot water on a timer. Vow not to use your air conditioner. Vow to turn off lights, to take short showers, to put on a sweater instead of turning up the heat, to make "energy efficiency" the top priority when you purchase new appliances. Vow, most importantly, to eat your vegetables.
www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/25/1454240
Comments (2)
Unfortunately, many people will not pay attention to climate scientists and other researchers in the climate field. Not until we are chocking on our self-created exhausts, drowning in your own trash and waste will we realize that something needs to be done. Part of that something will dictate relinquishing some of if not all of our old ways of living.
As a vegetarian who is teetering towards veganism I have had to ask myself if my tastes and desires for certain animals and animal products out way the treatment, rights and lives of these animals. Giving up meat, fish and poultry was easy, milk products are proving more of a challenge for me, especially cheese. (I have reduced my dairy intake considerable after reading Jefferey Moussaieff Masson's "The Pig Who Sang to the Moon.") Most meat eating friends and clients that I know when asked if they would eat meat if the entire animal was served on their plate answered, 'no.' They simply do not want to know what happens to the animal before it arrives to their dinner table. When asked if they knew how animals are being treated by Agribusiness and what Agribusiness byproducts are doing to the environment most are unaware.
My experience shows that attraction is more effective than promotion and I refer people to read Mr. Moussaieff Masson's book as well as introducing them to other resources. There has been some success. After passing along a copy of Mr. Moussaieff Masson's book to a very close friend, a friend of his grabbed it from off the kitchen table with a grimace and said, 'I can't ignore it anymore, I need to stop eating animals.' There's no doubt that most of us change only after a very painful experience: smokers who quit after learning of their lung disease, heart attack patients who start exercising after their attack; and list goes on. It is my hope that no matter what one's culture, personal desires, likes and dislikes dictate that we will make some sacrifices for the greater good of this beautiful planet of ours. It is a challenge to become completely 'green.' I can't possibly research every product that I purchase from its origins to my closet nor would I expect everyone else to do the same. However, "we" do need to become more aware of how our purchasing, diets and ways of living affect the greater good of all. A small start is all it takes: investigating website such as your own and others is how I learned of the cruel treatment of some of Australia's sheep by sheep ranchers/farmers. I thought, "Oh no, now I can't even wear wool?" Of course not all sheep have been subjected to such horrible treatment as having parts of their skin removed without the aid of anesthesia in order to extricate lice instead of taking the time to sheer the sheep properly. I have however, capitulated and will not purchase any animal hides and last week bought two pairs of "vegan" shoes sacrificing some style for the peace of mind that they provide.
My own awareness regarding the treatment of animals and the devastating and horrible Agribusiness industry came to me in a flash and I was ready to learn, understand, accept and take action. It was three years ago that this happened. Prior to that time I lived forty-seven years without considering the consequences of eating farm animals.
Thank you for all your wonderful work.
Yours in Peace and Kindness.
Posted by Bruce Katlin | October 31, 2007 3:51 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 15:51
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