lilneenz:

I can still love animals and eat meat!

Nope.

But the food chain!

Nope.

But look at our teeth!

Nope.

But free range!

Nope.

But sustainable farms!

Nope.

But lions and zebras!

Nope.

But humane!

Nope.

SO RELEVANT RIGHT NOW

inksea:

K so you know how vegans and many vegetarians are always going on about how the only way to save the planet is to go veg?

They are very, very, very wrong.

In all reality, it is quite the opposite. If everyone in the world were to go veg, there would be no room to grow the crops to supply over 6 billion people. In addition to that, the ecosystem would be completely thrown off balance and there would subsequently also be little room for all of the livestock to live comfortably as well since we would not be utilizing them.

Also, as a vegan or a vegetarian you are still, inadvertently, contributing to the deaths of animals. The plows that farmers use to grow your food kill and/or maim small animals like rodents albeit not on purpose, but it does happen all the time. Also, think about who picks your food. Unless you are growing 100% of your own crops, human rights violations are occurring so you can eat.

The human body is omnivorous. By analyzing the structure of our teeth and digestive system in comparison with herbivores, it is easy to see we are extremely different biologically speaking.

Yes, I know, it is sad that an animal dies to be nourishment for you. But that is a feeling that humans have been struggling with for thousands of years and will always struggle with. It is just how it is. Appreciate where the food comes from and don’t shame the people who do eat meat.

(Let me say: this is coming from a future Ecologist who also struggles with the morality of eating animals but realizes the crucial balance the food chain must have in order to have a successful ecosystem. And yes I am aware of the horrors of factory farming. Do not derail this post with mentions of it.)

“If everyone in the world were to go veg, there would be no room to grow the crops to supply over 6 billion people.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like every person on this planet will be going “veg” anytime soon. This is a social movement that will definitely take some time to expand, time we will need to shift agricultural practices.  There is a good chance all types of food will be scarce as the global climate shifts and the carrying capacity of this planet is compromised, so finding room for all food will be essential to human survival. Filtering our nutrients through sentient beings, or growing tons of grain to feed farm animals, is extremely inefficient and will not feed our growing population.

Also, you can grow plants pretty much anywhere with the right technology (greenhouses, buildings, vertically, roofs) Animals are sentient beings who (although are currently raised in horrible conditions today) cannot be raised just about anywhere. Factory farming is the best mass production scheme animal agriculture has come up with and even that is still inefficient and incredibly cruel.

“In addition to that, the ecosystem would be completely thrown off balance and there would subsequently also be little room for all of the livestock to live comfortably as well since we would not be utilizing them”

Animal agriculture is in no way a part of the ecosystem. The billions of non-human animals that are slaughtered for consumption are heavily bred to be raised for food. Humans have removed themselves from the natural food chain by doing this. We would not need room for the billions of food animals, as they would not exist in these numbers, because we would not artificially inseminate them over and over again to produce more flesh.  If the whole world did eventually go veg, these animals would not be bred, they would be cared for and maybe neutered to reduce natural breeding and eventually as they died of natural causes their populations would normalize to the levels nature intended.

“Also, as a vegan or a vegetarian you are still, inadvertently, contributing to the deaths of animals.”

This is nothing new to us. We do our best to avoid the the exploitation and death of all non-human animals, but sometimes things are out of our control.

“Also, think about who picks your food. Unless you are growing 100% of your own crops, human rights violations are occurring so you can eat.”

Also, not new to us. We are aware just as you are aware that fruits and vegetables are very often harvested by those whose human rights are violated. I know you do not live off of solely animal products, so we are all in the fight for human rights. Humans rights and animal rights go hand in hand. Especially when it comes to food. Slaughterhouse and factory farm workers are exposed to many of the same human rights violations.

“The human body is omnivorous.”

The human body is slightly omnivorous but is capable of existing on a plant based diet. There’s tons of living breathing vegans who are as healthy as can be.

“Yes, I know, it is sad that an animal dies to be nourishment for you. But that is a feeling that humans have been struggling with for thousands of years and will always struggle with. It is just how it is. Appreciate where the food comes from and don’t shame the people who do eat meat.”

If you feel sad about the exploitation/consumption of non-human animals you should consider including them in your ethical consideration, as they truly are sentient beings who deserve it. Humans have struggled with a lot of things overtime and from these struggles we have made changes.  No thanks to the appreciating part. I know exploiting non human animals is ethically unjustifiable and I won’t stand by as others exploit sentient beings.  

Overall, animal agriculture is ethically unjustifiable, inefficient and does this planet a lot more damage than it does it any good.  There really is no justification for consuming and exploiting nonhuman animals.

Go vegan!

“Dear Colleagues:

There is nothing extreme about ethical veganism.

What is extreme is eating decomposing flesh and animal secretions.

What is extreme is that we regard some animals as members of our family while, at the same time, we stick forks into the corpses of other animals.

What is extreme is thinking that it is morally acceptable to inflict suffering and death on other sentient creatures simply because we enjoy the taste of animal products or because we like the look of clothes made from animals.

What is extreme is that we say that we recognize that “unnecessary” suffering and death cannot be morally justified and then we proceed to engage in exploitation on a daily basis that is completely unnecessary.

What is extreme is pretending to embrace peace while we make violence, suffering, torture and death a daily part of our lives.

What is extreme is that we excoriate people like Michael Vick, Mary Bale and Sarah Palin as villains while we continue to eat, use, and consume animal products.

What is extreme is that we say that we care about animals and that we believe that they are members of the moral community, but we sponsor, support, encourage and promote “happy” meat/dairy labeling schemes. (see 1, 2, 3)

What is extreme is not eating flesh but continuing to consume dairy when there is absolutely no rational distinction between meat and dairy (or other animal products). There is as much suffering and death in dairy, eggs, etc., as there is in meat.

What is extreme is that we are consuming a diet that is causing disease and resulting in ecological disaster.

What is extreme is that we encourage our children to love animals at the same time that we teach them those that they love can also be those whom they harm. We teach our children that love is consistent with commodification. That is truly extreme—and very sad.

What is extreme is the fantasy that we will ever find our moral compass with respect to animals as long as they are on our plates and our tables, on our backs, and on our feet.

No, ethical veganism is not extreme. But there are many other things that we do not even pay attention to that are extreme.

If you are not vegan, go vegan. It’s easy; it’s better for your health and for the planet. But, most important, it’s the morally right thing to do.”

The World is Vegan! If you want it.

-Gary L. Francione
©2010 Gary L. Francione

Do you live in Maryland?

Are you vegan? (recommended but not required!)

Come have fun in the sun and eat vegan nomz in Perry Hall, Maryland at the

Vegan Picnic Potluck  that my sister and I are throwing!

If you don’t have facebook you can still RSVP/get more info by sending me an ask (tailscasalena.tumblr.com)!

All are welcome! Hope to see you there!

-Tails