NYT: Rethinking meat
The New York Times printed a very interesting article on the ills of meat consumption.
The article frames the issue in a way that I believe will effect more change than a PETA campaign or animal liberation efforts. It frames it in a way that directly effects us; humans and this world.
The most glaring shortcoming of this article is that with all of the far-fetched suggestions for solutions, it doesn't even mention veganism!
Some highlights:
"Global demand for meat has multiplied in recent years"
"The world's total meat supply was 71 million tons in 1961. In 2007, it is estimated to be 284 million tons."
"In the developing world, it rose twice as fast, doubling in the last 20 years."
"Americans eat about the same amount of meat as we have for some time"
This totally debunks the myth that many USAmericans vegans believe where we are already effecting the necessary changes through individualistic dietary choices.
"30 percent of the earth's ice-free land is directly or indirectly involved in livestock production"
It "generates nearly a fifth of the world's greenhouse gases - more than transportation."
"the demand for meat - contribute to nearly three-quarters of all water-quality problems in the nation"
I love how I so often hear people championing "green" consumerism never include meat/dairy into their equation. It would just simply be too much for their "green" consuming to actually cause them to have to make real changes.
"the majority of corn and soy grown in the world feeds catle, pigs and chickens."
"higher prices for feed divert production away from food crops."
The article also touches on the health impact; connecting "health problems" to meat consumption.
It also notes that we "would do just fine on around 30 grams of protein a day, virtually all of it from plant sources."
Admitting that "these problems originated here," "a stronger public relations campaign in the reduction of meat consumption... emphasizing personal health, compassion for animals, and doing good for the poor and the planet" is needed.
I would love to see the meat/dairy industry's reaction to any such campaign (remember how they went after the all-powerful Oprah just for saying she was going to stop eating beef?!)or to any attempt to reduce/remove their massive subsidies.
(thank you DP)
The article frames the issue in a way that I believe will effect more change than a PETA campaign or animal liberation efforts. It frames it in a way that directly effects us; humans and this world.
The most glaring shortcoming of this article is that with all of the far-fetched suggestions for solutions, it doesn't even mention veganism!
Some highlights:
"Global demand for meat has multiplied in recent years"
"The world's total meat supply was 71 million tons in 1961. In 2007, it is estimated to be 284 million tons."
"In the developing world, it rose twice as fast, doubling in the last 20 years."
"Americans eat about the same amount of meat as we have for some time"
This totally debunks the myth that many USAmericans vegans believe where we are already effecting the necessary changes through individualistic dietary choices.
"30 percent of the earth's ice-free land is directly or indirectly involved in livestock production"
It "generates nearly a fifth of the world's greenhouse gases - more than transportation."
"the demand for meat - contribute to nearly three-quarters of all water-quality problems in the nation"
I love how I so often hear people championing "green" consumerism never include meat/dairy into their equation. It would just simply be too much for their "green" consuming to actually cause them to have to make real changes.
"the majority of corn and soy grown in the world feeds catle, pigs and chickens."
"higher prices for feed divert production away from food crops."
The article also touches on the health impact; connecting "health problems" to meat consumption.
It also notes that we "would do just fine on around 30 grams of protein a day, virtually all of it from plant sources."
Admitting that "these problems originated here," "a stronger public relations campaign in the reduction of meat consumption... emphasizing personal health, compassion for animals, and doing good for the poor and the planet" is needed.
I would love to see the meat/dairy industry's reaction to any such campaign (remember how they went after the all-powerful Oprah just for saying she was going to stop eating beef?!)or to any attempt to reduce/remove their massive subsidies.
(thank you DP)
posted by shane at 12:01 PM
1 Comments:
I think that Peta actually brings up a lot of those points in their propaganda (print and web based anyway), not that I am a cheerleader for Peta or think that their campaigns are especially effective. I just remember seeing most of the points the NYT article brings up in Peta pamphlets and websites run by Peta.
Post a Comment
<< Home