The Complexity of the Environment Issue
Whether we like it or not, all the reasons we have for eating
less or no meat are complex issues. Recently, New Scientist
magazine had an article entitled, ‘Why eating green won’t save the
planet’:http://www.newscientist.com/article/
mg20727691.200-veggieworld-why-eating-
greens-wont-save-the-planet.html?full=true
Worth reading, and in the end, the article says a great deal in
support of eating less meat. Read a response at
http://www.veganorganic.net/media-releases/
press-release-new-scientist-articl
e-provokes-massive-response
Individuals and groups representing vegetarians and vegans up and
down the country have been responding to a recent article in New
Scientist magazine.
VON (Vegan-Organic Network) welcomes Bob Holmes’ article
“Veggieworld: Why Eating Greens Won’t Save The Planet” (issue 2769
14 July 2010) as part of the increasing debate about the future of
food but was disappointed by its muddled logic and several
omissions.
Holmes gives figures for the greenhouse gas emissions of
beef, chicken and pork but omits plant protein from his comparison.
He quotes a 21% reduction in land use if the world went vegan, yet
later talks about marginal land as if it could not be re-forested,
used for energy crops etc. He omits to mention the environmental
damage caused by the tanning of leather, avoiding the comparison
with a pair of shoes made from a renewable crop such as hemp.
He posits that the wealth=meat scenario will continue, with
intensive rearing of animals being the least environmentally
damaging solution. However, if the U.S. and Europe were to go
vegan, given that the rest of the world frequently follows the
West’s lead, particularly in dietary matters, a reversal of the
paradigm could happen very easily.
“And that says nothing of animal welfare issues” says Holmes.
In our more enlightened times, when evidence of animals’
intelligence and sensitivity is piling up and healthy vegans
abound, animal welfare can and should no longer be ignored. Vegans
commonly do not suggest that the world should go vegan overnight,
but point out that there is a wealth of difference between the
careful rearing of one or two “family” animals in a third world
country and the cruelty of the industrialised model.
Holmes seems to accept that an increase in meat production would be
environmentally disastrous without any mention of the alternative:
stockfree organic agriculture, a proven, clean, green, efficient
and cruelty-free method of food production.
Manure may be less important to farmers due to the current
availability of artificial fertilisers, but Holmes does not look
forward to the fast-approaching post-oil era where green manures,
mulching, composting and crop rotation will be the norm.
Farmers, growers and gardeners all around the world are turning to
stockfree organic methods: food grown for local consumption without
animal inputs. The time has come to stop quibbling over which
animal foods are least harmful, to accept that eating animals is
not sustainable and instead to grow and eat the plants directly
ourselves.
For information about stockfree organic farming, see www.stockfreeorganic.net and www.veganorganic.net
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
(1) Founded in 1996, the Vegan-Organic Network is an ambitious
charity with an international network of active supporters. It aims
to research and promote vegan-organic (stockfree) methods of
agriculture and horticulture so that clean, green, cruelty-free,
food becomes widely available. It publishes a magazine “Growing
Green International” and advice leaflets. There is also a free
advice service for members of the public, home growers,
smallholders and farmers. The Network organises farm walks,
allotment and garden visits and volunteer placements on stockfree
holdings.
(2)VON’s stockfree organic standards inspected by the Soil
Association are available for farmers and growers who wish to grow
produce in the most ethical and environmentally-friendly way. The
stockfree organic symbol is the consumer’s guarantee of “organic
plus” food.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Ford – Press Officer
01584 872224 [email protected]
22 July 2010 ref. S1027