OMNI
VEGETARIAN ACTION
NEWSLETTER #7, May 14, 2014.
Compiled by Dick
Bennett for a Culture of Peace, Justice, and Ecology. (#4 Feb. 12, 2014; #5 March 12, 2014; #6 April 9, 2014).
What
is the mission of OMNI?
With
the Quakers (the AFSC, FCNL) we seek:
a
world free of war and the threat of war,
a
society with equity and justice for all,
a
community where every person’s potential may be fulfilled,
and
an earth restored.
The Quakers and the entire peace, justice,
and ecology movement, of which OMNI is a part, seek to create a better
world. OMNI was created precisely
because numerous social organizations existed in NWA, but not one to promote
world peace, both social and economic justice, human rights, and democracy, and
to demote violence, cruelty, secrecy, and political repression, connecting the
dots between local and global. Later (by
2006) we added the even more urgent problems arising from warming. OMNI was never perceived as a passive or
lukewarm or entertaining undertaking.
Plenty of organizations exist for that.
Or turn on Prime Time.
A Call to
the People by George Monbiot
From: Robert McAfee <robertjmca1@gmail.com>
Date: September 19, 2013, 5:36:29 AM CDT
After more than a quarter of a century of environmental campaigning I’ve come to see that the only thing that really works is public mobilisation: the electorate putting so much pressure on governments that they are obliged to take a stand against powerful interests.
Date: September 19, 2013, 5:36:29 AM CDT
After more than a quarter of a century of environmental campaigning I’ve come to see that the only thing that really works is public mobilisation: the electorate putting so much pressure on governments that they are obliged to take a stand against powerful interests.
This Is Hope compares the outcomes of two human ecologies; one is tragic,
the other full of promise. See below.
OMNI Newsletters
Index:
See: Animal Cruelty, Animal Rights, Compassion/Empathy, Ecology,
Health, Global Warming/Causes, for starters.
Recent Related OMNI Newsletters:
5-4 Kent
State Killings
Remembrance Day
4-18 Climate Change and Media
4-16 Torture
4-12 “War of Terror”
Nos.
4-6 at end
Contents of Vegetarian Action #7
Will Anderson , Article, Book
Will Anderson ,
“Vegan Human Ecology: Our Untapped Power and
Responsibility.” Vegetarian
Voice (Spring 2014).
Will Anderson ,
This Is Hope: Green Vegans and the New
Human Ecology
Melanie Joy,
Why We Eat Some Animals, and Not Others
“Twas the
Night Before Thanksgiving,” a Book for Children
North American
Vegetarian Society Magazine, Vegetarian
Voice
WILL ANDERSON , “VEGAN HUMAN ECOLOGY,” VEGETARIAN VOICE (SPRING 2014). “Veganism is about more than what we choose to eat. It is a value system based on empathy,
nonviolence, compassion, justice, as well as self-interest.”
EARTH BOOKS: ENVIRONMENT
This Is Hope:
Green Vegans and the New Human Ecology
How We Find Our
Way to a Humane and Environmentally Sane Future by Will Anderson. Earth
Books, 2013.
THE
FOLLOWING IS BY THE AUTHOR VIA AMAZON
Though categorized as Ecology/Environment,
"This Is Hope" is a crossover book for self-identified
environmentalists, species rights advocates, vegans and vegetarians, those
dedicated to true sustainability, fish and wildlife "management"
professionals, students of deep ecology, and those who want to know the biocentric
story behind our dietary, consumer, and reproductive choices.
The issues most important to us converge at our human ecology. Our human ecology consists of our relationships with and between other people, other species, our institutions, and the physical environment -- between us and our external environment. Because of its comprehensive consideration of these relationships to all else, an examination of our human ecology reveals how multiple issues are connected--issues that advocates from diverse causes care about deeply.
In "This is Hope", I compare the outcomes of two human ecologies; one is tragic, the other is full of promise. I describe in depth our current human ecology to illustrate how we are living inappropriately, cruelly, and unsustainably. It is obsolete and has been for a long time. Our current human ecology is the cause of our overpopulation, our overconsumption of resources, the poverty of ecosystems and people, and our disregard for the rights of individuals from other species. I propose the new human ecology to replace it.
The new human ecology is characterized by Seven Results that we create the moment we change our personal behaviors. The Results include reduced human populations, increased possibilities for social and economic justice, and a vegan human ecology. Building on deep ecology, the topics I consider include our impacts on ecosystems; species rights as a concept that is essential to environmental advocates; fish and wildlife management and how it cannot stop the loss of biodiversity in the presence of our current human ecology; carnism; human overpopulation; the poverty found in social and economic injustice; and the environmental communities' misguided reliance on the omnivore movement.
I examine Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma among other works and popular media's distorted portrayal of veganism. I critique his misuse of biological terms, describe how he misleads readers in his accounting of philosophers associated with animal rights, and describe the flaws in his methodology that led him to dismiss vegans as misguided urbanites.
Over a span of three decades, I managed campaigns for species rights and environmental organizations. We operated without the overarching context we needed to make the connections between those and other issues that pulled at my heart. Environmentalists seemed unaware that there is immense suffering in ecosystem destruction. Animal rightists ignored the innate value of all species and too often chose sentience as the ultimate test for responding to issues. They failed to acknowledge the dependence of the sentient upon the nonsentient and their ecosystems. During and since then I wrote "This Is Hope: Green Vegans and The New Human Ecology / How We Will Find Our Way to a Humane and Environmentally Sane Future."
For the first time, advocates from many fields will see that our human ecology is the context they have been seeking to further their successes. Above all, I explain why all of these issues are connected by a common thread--our human ecology. Because of the depth and breadth of the subject matter, I substantiate my work with several hundred citations from the scientific and reliable popular literature.
The issues most important to us converge at our human ecology. Our human ecology consists of our relationships with and between other people, other species, our institutions, and the physical environment -- between us and our external environment. Because of its comprehensive consideration of these relationships to all else, an examination of our human ecology reveals how multiple issues are connected--issues that advocates from diverse causes care about deeply.
In "This is Hope", I compare the outcomes of two human ecologies; one is tragic, the other is full of promise. I describe in depth our current human ecology to illustrate how we are living inappropriately, cruelly, and unsustainably. It is obsolete and has been for a long time. Our current human ecology is the cause of our overpopulation, our overconsumption of resources, the poverty of ecosystems and people, and our disregard for the rights of individuals from other species. I propose the new human ecology to replace it.
The new human ecology is characterized by Seven Results that we create the moment we change our personal behaviors. The Results include reduced human populations, increased possibilities for social and economic justice, and a vegan human ecology. Building on deep ecology, the topics I consider include our impacts on ecosystems; species rights as a concept that is essential to environmental advocates; fish and wildlife management and how it cannot stop the loss of biodiversity in the presence of our current human ecology; carnism; human overpopulation; the poverty found in social and economic injustice; and the environmental communities' misguided reliance on the omnivore movement.
I examine Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma among other works and popular media's distorted portrayal of veganism. I critique his misuse of biological terms, describe how he misleads readers in his accounting of philosophers associated with animal rights, and describe the flaws in his methodology that led him to dismiss vegans as misguided urbanites.
Over a span of three decades, I managed campaigns for species rights and environmental organizations. We operated without the overarching context we needed to make the connections between those and other issues that pulled at my heart. Environmentalists seemed unaware that there is immense suffering in ecosystem destruction. Animal rightists ignored the innate value of all species and too often chose sentience as the ultimate test for responding to issues. They failed to acknowledge the dependence of the sentient upon the nonsentient and their ecosystems. During and since then I wrote "This Is Hope: Green Vegans and The New Human Ecology / How We Will Find Our Way to a Humane and Environmentally Sane Future."
For the first time, advocates from many fields will see that our human ecology is the context they have been seeking to further their successes. Above all, I explain why all of these issues are connected by a common thread--our human ecology. Because of the depth and breadth of the subject matter, I substantiate my work with several hundred citations from the scientific and reliable popular literature.
THE
FOLLOWING CAME FROM THE PUBLISHER
This
is Hope compares the outcomes of two human ecologies; one is tragic, the other
is full of promise. As Will explains in his Introduction, ‘Our
human ecology is the expression of everything we do and is represented by every
interaction we have on earth…it consists of the multitude of relationships we
have with other people, other species, and our physical environment’. He
describes our current human ecology in depth to illustrate how we are living
inappropriately, cruelly, and unsustainably. This is obsolete and has been for
a long time; it is the cause of our overpopulation, our overconsumption of
resources, the poverty of ecosystems and people, and our disregard for the
rights of individuals from other species. This is Hope proposes a new human
ecology to replace it.
REVIEWS & ENDORSEMENTS
·
In my environmentally-focused Sociology
department and in my graduate classes, I was very disappointed at how Nonhuman
Animals were either objectified or ignored altogether in the green discourse.
For the first time, we have a comprehensive piece where Nonhuman Animals are
included in the discussion as meaningful participants, victims, communities,
and individuals. Other work touches on the inclusion of Nonhuman Animals, but
this book acts a sort of environmentally-themed version of Singer's Animal
Liberation. Anderson
argues that environmentalism makes no sense so long as we encourage and protect
violence against Nonhuman Animals: "We are not environmentalists if our
vision and effort allow continued ecosystem collapses, extinctions, untold
suffering, and unsustainability to continue" (172). Most environmental
literature speaks of Nonhuman Animals, not as individuals, but as a
"species." When the individual is lost from consideration, any number
of injustices can be enacted upon individuals in the name of species "conservation,"
like "hunting" and "wildlife management." We learn how
hunting artificially removes individuals from the environment, thus tampering
with evolution as genes are eliminated from populations in ways that would not
otherwise occur naturally (as happens when hunters go for males and animals
with the largest tusks or antlers). We see how humans intentionally create
fragile ecosystems that ultimately require human management. The projects of
"humane washing" and "green washing" emerge to justify this
management and continued exploitation, ignoring the ethical and logical vegan
solution. Anderson 's
book offers an extensive overview of how Nonhuman Animals, both domesticated
and free-living, are impacted by human activity. In many ways, it offers a rather
sociological view of how Nonhuman Animals are otherized. There is a discussion
of how nature and the human/nonhuman divide are socially constructed by humans.
His approach is personal, often sharing his interactions with various Nonhuman
Animal communities, environmental groups and agencies, and his travels across
the world. We learn how Nonhuman Animals matter, with a variety of anecdotal
stories, case studies, research reviews, and a discussion of sentience. He
discusses the complexities involved with navigating violence against Nonhuman
Animals among indigenous populations. There is also a discussion of the
complexities of human and nonhuman oppression. Poverty, ecocide, misogyny,
speciesism and other oppressions, he insists, are all interrelated. Anderson presents a case
for "neo-predation," that is, human predation on Nonhuman Animals is
exacerbated because it is based on our increasing population and our increasing
consumption. In simply taking up space, creating noise pollution, laying roads
and road barriers, and introducing invasive species (like cows and crops), we
inflict unimaginable damage. However, important barriers to creating a vegan
ecology exist. For one, environmentalists are wary to adopt veganism for fear
of appearing too sentimental (a problem with many "feminized" social
movements striving for social change under a patriarchy). The Non-Profit
Industrial Complex also seems to be at work, as professionalized,
funding-dependent NGOs dominate the arena and stifle radical discourse: Environmentalists
and other advocates should lead and inspire our journey out of the current
human ecology and into the humane and sustainable new human ecology. Instead,
they are not telling us the entire story about what is required for our
biological and moral survival. (179) Anderson explains that differing cultural
beliefs on the environment and Nonhuman Animals mean we have no agreed upon
goals, which makes collaboration difficult. This is aggravated by the
hyperfocus on membership and financial support in the professionalized
organizations. Hunters, being important funders, enjoy protected interests and
silenced anti-specieism discourse. Likewise, professionalized groups generally
don't want to associate with veganism to avoid seeming unreasonable. He also
analyzes a wealth of counter-claimsmaking promulgated by "fur,"
"fishing," and "wildlife management" industries. On that
note, I did find it very strange to see a list of recommended Nonhuman Animal
NGOs at the end of the book, given that Nonhuman Animal rights NGOs are just as
guilty of selling out Nonhumans for fear of losing credibility and funding. The
inclusion of Vegan Outreach was especially disturbing, given their strong
stance against veganism! That said, at least four issues stood out to me as potentially
problematic. First, the entire theory of the book rests on his case for
"empathy." When we are speaking of rights, "empathy" makes
me nervous. I think we should be worried about creating a strong foundation for
equality based on the logic of social justice. "Empathy" can often
come off as condescending in a manner that upholds human superiority. For
instance, we would not argue that women deserve rights because men should
"empathize" with them, we would argue that women deserve rights
because we recognize that as sentient beings, women deserve to be free of
murder, rape, harassment, etc. Empathy is important in motivating concern, but
I would hesitate to build a theory of social justice on wavering emotional
states. Secondly, I am hugely deterred by the framing of violence against
Nonhuman Animals as "carnism." "Carnism" is a term coined
by Dr. Melanie Joy, and in many ways, is a corruption of the more inclusive
term, "speciesism." Carnism refers specifically to consuming Nonhuman
Animals for food, but a true vegan approach would recognize that it is much
more than what we eat, it's also using Nonhuman Animals for clothes,
entertainment, etc. Speciesism encapsulates that. Secondly, even in the realm
of food, carnism only refers to "flesh." If you read between the
lines in Joy's writing, you can figure out that she really means to include
birds' eggs, cows' milk, etc., but that is not made clear. I really think the
entire "carnism" concept is distracting, confusing, and unnecessary.
Third, Anderson
also runs into problems with his focus on population. He often speaks of
quelling the growth of human population in general, but it is developing
countries where this is happening specifically. Population has largely
stagnated or even declined in the West, where individuals have greater wealth
and greater access to education and other social services. So, when we talk
about reducing human population, we need to be careful about what groups of
people we are talking about--it is usually the world's poor and disadvantaged.
These people are not the ones creating the massive amount of destruction and
occupying all the space, that's the privileged people living in the West. Many
areas of high population growth are also areas where people live on a dollar a
day and are crammed into the highly confined spaces of ghettos and slums. Anderson acknowledges
these social inequalities throughout the text, he just fails to do so in the
context of population discussion. Population growth needs to be stopped and
reversed, but he never explains exactly how that will be implemented. I fear
the explanation will lie in targeting poor brown peoples, specifically
vulnerable women. Relatedly, Anderson
also suggests that people living in areas where food must be transported at
high cost and where considerable energy must be invested into heating and
cooling might consider moving. But, this is an option generally only available
to the socially privileged. I've heard this same argument used for poor
Americans of color living in food deserts, but simply moving is not a realistic
solution. Indeed, the same problem arises when Anderson suggests that all populations of the
world are "uniquely responsible" for the environmental crisis:
"There are no exceptions" (303): Rich and poor, indefensible over-consumers
and low-scale consumers, all are drawn into the fray because we each have our
varying degrees of impact that require responses. (304) However, we know that
the majority of the world's human population is so incredibly impoverished,
their responsibility lies in surviving to see tomorrow and putting food in
their children's mouths. Under such strained, day-to-day survivalist existence,
I'm not sure how they couldn't be excepted. Furthermore, it is the world's
privileged who have created these drastic inequalities to begin with. Anderson calls for us to
adopt "humanity" as our primary identity, not nationality, ethnicity,
or tribal identification. But, this position overlooks serious social and
global hierarchies. White male Western capitalists have created this problem,
not starving, illiterate villagers with dying children who are scraping to
exist in the slums and countrysides of Africa, India ,
and China .
I feel that when he speaks to how we are all "uniquely responsible,"
he really means those of us with the privilege of taking responsibility: those
of us who will not have to choose between eating or not eating, living or not
living. Dismantling inequalities of this scale will require institutional
change, which will first require an attitude shift. People living in these
conditions don't want to live in those conditions, it's not their attitude we
need to change, it's our Western, individual, hyper-consumption colonialist
attitude that needs to go. When we see education spread and wealth redistributed,
I think there will be a much easier case for environmental stewardship.
Overall, an incredibly sad read. It was distressing to read of suffering
individuals, diminishing communities, human arrogance, NGO corruption,
political irrationality, etc. I will warn you, some of the stories are
extremely graphic and traumatizing (like a detailed description of how coyotes
react as they are murdered by poison, or how elk slowly meet their death in a
disemboweled panic at the hands of bow "hunters"). But, the book is
uplifting in that Anderson
constantly reminds us that the solution is at our fingertips. Finally, a strong
case is being made for veganism as the most important way of diminishing social
inequality and suffering in human and nonhuman societies. Overall, I think this
is a very powerful book that is appropriate for a curious public, nonvegan
environmentalists, and college students. A very engaging read. ~ Corey
Wrenn Blog, http://academicabolitionistvegan.blogspot.com/
·
This is Hope: Green Vegans and the New Human
Ecology is about how our relationship with the other beings on the planet
determines the future of the planet itself, and about what has happened and
will happen when that relationship is selfish and violent, as it is now. Author
Will Anderson is a peaceful man, miraculously non-judgmental and hopeful
considering his subject matter. In this intensively researched book, he clearly
and inarguably reveals the harm that how we think and what we eat is doing to
the planet that we all live on. Green Vegan is not a comfortable easy read, for
several reasons: 1. This book introduces the unfamiliar concept of human
ecology. This is nothing new, but it is a holistic framework that we've lost
with the rise of a fragmented, technology dominated, materialistic and
self-centered style of human existence. We've become alienated from the natural
world which nourishes us - if we let it, or if it still can. No matter how
inclined we are to agree with Will Anderson's point of view - and I am very
much inclined - it is still a mental challenge to grasp that everything that we
do and think is responsible for everything else that happens everywhere on the
planet - as an everyday reality, not just an abstraction. As Will Anderson says
in his introduction, 'Our current human ecology is characterized by a worldview
that asserts we have dominion over all the Earth. It believes that Earth is
here for our purposes and that all other species are below and inferior to us.'
Very few human beings don't consciously or unconsciously share that point of
view, no matter how otherwise enlightened they may be. Will Anderson 's Concise Definition of The New
Human Ecology: "The new human ecology ... incorporates and expands upon
deep ecology (which) recognizes that all species, individuals of these species,
and their ecostystems have intrinsic value. This is the biocentric perspective.
Deep ecology is explicity present throughout the new human ecology and missing
from the current human ecology." 2. Will Anderson tells in exhaustive, gut wrenching,
well-documented detail what, when, and how we're destroying the planet. That's
hard to take - like watching a train wreck in slow motion, knowing that you
helped to cause it! Some of the topics that he covers: The carnist view and
world hunger, man as mega-predator, the incomplete environmentalist, veganism
as a new human ecological niche, systemic public corruption, cultural
objections, blue and green washing, and finally, in the last chapter, his
message of hope. 3. If you weren't vegan before reading this book, it would be
difficult not to feel that you should go vegan by the end of Chapter 19.
Ironically, it's the last chapter of the book, You Are the Hope, which fell
short for me, and induced a feeling of unreality. Will Anderson says in Chapter 20: "My hope is
that you are convinced to embrace the new human ecology and its Seven Results
because of what you now know." From the introduction: "Those results
include reducing our population, increasing social and economic justice, reclaiming
lands for restoring ecosystems to the extent possible, and establishing a
sustainable vegan human ecology." To my way of thinking, the only way to
change how you think and act is to change your consciousness, which is the
basis of thought and action. Green Vegans shows why a global change in
consciousness is critical to our survival as a species, and the survival of the
planet, but not how it might be accomplished on the scale that's needed.
However, it's only fair to say that's a task beyond the scope of this book. I
am grateful to Will Anderson for illuminating the problems that we humans face,
and for showing that widespread adoption of vegan diet is critical for saving
the planet and all who inhabit it. My hope is that this book will inspire all
those who read it to start forging a path in a new direction. My fear is that
it may not get the readership it deserves. That's why I recommend Green Vegans
and The New Human Ecology as a Must Read! ~ Savvy Vegetarian Website,
http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/green-vegans-new-human-ecology.php
·
As a vegetarian of more than 30 years, I did not
think this book would offer much in the way of new ideas. I was wrong. This is
a huge campaign of a book, packed with thought-provoking information that
underlines yet again that mostly we do not make informed choices. Most people
do not realise the impact of their food choices or the far ranging effects of
their consumerism generally. Courageous and compassionate author Will Anderson
also got me thinking about how the most minute ecosystems are essential to the
health of the whole. He describes how the disruption of the synchronicity of
the food chain has disastrous ripple effects, causing serious consequences for
the more impoverished human beings on the planet, those human beings who are
actually competing with other species for food. The book explores the
ecological and moral arguments for a new way of living that is strongly
compelling. It is thoroughly researched and presented in an accessible format
which would make fascinating reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.
Chapter 20 is entitled “You are the Hope”, and certainly if we don’t take
action, the planet will suffer, all creatures on the planet will suffer, and
that includes us. Read this book and take action! ~ Interfaith Minister
& Tutor, Rev Elaine Walker
·
Useful reading with good documentation for
environmentalists and species rights advocates as well as professionals who
want to work on changes. ~ , Compendium Newsletter
·
In this is a remarkable book, Will Anderson
carefully, thoroughly makes an overwhelming case that the future of humanity
hangs in the balance. And what will tip that balance one way or another will be
whether or not humanity embraces a broad ethic of environmental responsibility
and animal rights. Humans must radically alter their ecological footprint by
reversing population growth, living sustainably with renewable resources, and
minimizing pollution. Otherwise, we will degrade the environment to the point
that the world will become essentially uninhabitable for us (as well as
countless other species). At the same time, we must embrace animal rights. It
won’t suffice for humans to ruthlessly exploit nonhumans while “conserving”
enough animal, plant, mineral, and fossil fuel “resources” to satisfy human
needs. In addition to being morally bankrupt, such an attitude inevitably
devastates ecosystems and species populations. Only respectful attitudes
towards the entire nonhuman world will preserve or regenerate natural
ecosystems, which are essential for sustaining life as we know it. For example,
if we allowed forests and grasslands that have been converted to croplands to
grow back, they would sequester much of the excess carbon dioxide that
currently warms our planet. Anderson
thoughtfully considers many ethical dilemmas. Is it acceptable to kill members
of prey species because their populations have been altered by “predator
control” programs? Anderson
carefully considers all viewpoints and concludes that killing animals is an
unacceptable solution to the problem. Should we respect the hunting traditions
of indigenous people? Anderson
rejects these policies as well, noting that we do not regard “tradition” as an
acceptable excuse for slavery or female genital mutilation, and we should not
accept it as an excuse for killing nonhumans either. Anderson calls for “green vegan” living,
which entails more than abstinence from animal products. He sees veganism as an
ideology that includes human population control and a hands-off approach to the
natural world. Borrowing from the important work of Melanie Joy (Why We Love
Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism), Anderson contrasts the ideology of green
vegans with that of carnism. The latter sees humans as special creations who
are entitled to use and abuse nonhumans as humans please. Green veganism
doesn’t call for a modest reform of modern living. Rather it calls for a
comprehensive orientation toward compassion, concern, and sustainability.
Anything less might slow the rate of humanity’s self-destruction but will not
save our species, as well as the nonhuman world. Anderson hopes that humans, upon recognizing
the necessity of green vegan living, will choose this lifestyle. Unfortunately,
I see little evidence that more than a small fraction of the populace has
embraced his call, even though it strikes me as obvious that there is a the
growing ecological crisis. Indeed, I find it hard to understand why those who
insist on maintaining a course that is self-destructive for humanity still have
children. Perhaps we are dealing with the psychology of denial, akin to the
attitude of people living at the base of an active volcano who choose to ignore
the clear threat in their midst. In this case, humanity isn’t just denying the
problem; it’s continually worsening the problem. It’s like fracking over the
San Andres Fault. When there is no immediate danger, when change is slow, and
when actions don’t have immediate, obvious impacts, it is difficult to
encourage people to act, particularly when action means significant lifestyle
changes. The challenge, it seems to me, is to find ways to make visible the
growing ecological crisis – the “elephant in the room.” Otherwise, within 2-3
generations there won’t be elephants, other creatures, and perhaps humans,
anywhere. This observation might encourage people to give up in despair, but I
don’t think that is the Christian way. We are called to be faithful, and that
means living as if our actions will meaningfully change the world. Indeed, that
possibility exists, however remote it might seem. ~ Christian
Vegetarian Association, Magazine
·
This recent book by Will Anderson offers a
devastating critique of the human impact on animals and the biosphere. Using
careful arguments and references, the author leaves no room for half measures:
we must rapidly wind down animal agriculture, hunting, fishing and all other
unnecessary uses of animals. This will allow ecosystems to begin to recover
from the downward spiral that has been caused by animal agriculture and human
predation. This is an ambitious book spanning a number of topics. Although
there is detailed discussion around preserving and restoring ecosystems, the
author also emphasises the suffering that individual animals endure at the
hands of humans, and asks us to develop more empathy for sentient beings. There
is a consideration of traditional hunting cultures, so often given as an excuse
by others not to embark on becoming vegan. There are many nuances to this issue
that Anderson
covers very well. The author also criticises international aid organisations
for promoting livestock agriculture as a way out of poverty. Anderson is
particularly critical of the boutique (locavore) animal farming movement,
pointing out that it is steeped in green-washing, and what he calls “humane
washing” – creating an impression of care for animals, whilst cruelty is at the
heart of it all. People who are already vegan don't get a free pass either –
everyone must look deeply into their purchases to ensure they use resources
wisely, are fair trade and cruelty free. It is argued that everyone is
effectively a predator through the purchases we make and the space that we take
up. We need to be aware of this and minimise the harm caused. In addition,
there needs to be a global population decline. The author concludes with a
hopeful prescription of 7 things that must necessarily develop in order for the
planet to have a future. These are all things that individuals can implement in
their daily lives, central to which is a vegan lifestyle. After all the bad
news there is optimism for change. We get the impression that the world of the
future will look very different from what it is now. The e-book version has
hyperlinked end notes so that further reading can be undertaken if desired.
There is a wealth of information in these references. I hope one day the book
will be translated into other languages. ~ Canberra Vegans (nonprofit), website
·
In This Is Hope: Green Vegans and the New Human
Ecology (Earth Books), author Will Anderson, founder of greenvegans.org, lays
out the hard numbers: 67 billion farm animals used to produce meat; 700 million
people worldwide depending on farmed animals for much of their income; 1.5
planets’ worth of resources being used by humankind. He notes that “carnism”
underlies an unsustainable reality that has led to exploiting land, polluting
water and generating massive emissions and takes direct aim at celebrated food
writer Michael Pollan whose book The Omnivore’s Dilemma Anderson argues does
not go nearly far enough in identifying necessary changes. In The Omnivore’s
Dillema, Pollan writes that domestication of farm animals “has allowed us and
them to prosper together as we could never have prospered apart.” To this, Anderson responds with a
litany of ways that humans have mistreated these animals—cows with huge udders;
turkeys with oversized breasts that are unable to walk; butchered calves. It’s
a grim picture, and one that is not remedied, in Anderson ’s view, by the small-scale farm
operations so often championed by environmentalists. The truth, he writes, can
again be found in the numbers—26% of Earth’s arable land used for grazing and a
third of all arable land used for feed crop production. It’s a staggering
amount of lost habitat for the farm animals Anderson calls “an invasive species.” Pollan
may argue that people are animals and eating other animals is natural, but Anderson counters that “A
new era is unfolding…I am vegan because of what I have seen and experienced
with ecosystems and other species…” In This Is Hope, Anderson ties true environmentalism to
veganism. His words may be hard for meat eaters to read, but he makes it clear
they have never been more necessary. ~ Brita Belli, editor, E Magazine
(the environmental magazine)
·
Self-interest and empathy for other species,
then, are entwined, and Anderson
appeals to the reader on both the practical and the emotional level. Although
humans are fond of the illusion that their lives, habits, governments and
societies are rational, it is actually on the emotional level that events are
decided, and Will Anderson is not afraid to appeal to our emotions. In the end,
he hands the responsibility for saving Earth and other species to the reader:
his valedictory sentence is "you are the hope." ~ Barbara
Julian, Animal Science and Literature:
http://www.animalit.ca/2013/06/this-is-hope-green-vegans-and-new-human.html
·
...one of the most important works of our time.
Thank you for giving this vital book life. ~ Brian Graff, National
Anti-Vivisection Society US
·
Finally! A MUST READ for anyone seeking a
practical planetary path from the current trajectory of death and desperation
to one that truly engages and embraces hope for all species. This book provides
a pioneering path for those who truly want to be the change we want - and need
- to see in this world.As a scientist in wildlife management and conservation,
I can attest to tragically ridiculous and archaic methods that continue to be
used to (mis)manage wildlife and plant species for human ignorance and greed
rather than for the planet and successive generations. This Is Hope
incorporates the best and the brightest of science while allowing for the
potential of humanity. ~ Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., Author, Dolphin Mysteries
and Between Species
·
We are at the precipice where human existence
and that of all other species is in doubt. Can we commit to a course of action
in time to stop the loss of biodiversity, while increasing human prosperity? In
This Is Hope, we realize that our old way of thinking about our place in the
world must change. Here you will find not just another explanation of where we
have gone wrong; but also that we have the power to create the world all of us
would hope for ourselves and future generations. ~ Brenda Peterson,
author
·
I had the very great pleasure of working with
Will Anderson in 1998 when we both stood in opposition to the resurrection of
whaling in Washington
State by the Makah Tribe.
I was impressed by his passion, his compassion and his courage. We share the
same view that we must make significant changes in our approach to our
relationship with non-human species and we both agree that the world must move
towards veganism as a means of restoring harmony between human kind and the
natural world for only by living in accordance with the principles of ecological
laws and realities will humanity have a future at all. ~ Captain Paul
Watson, Founder – Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Co-Founder of the
Greenpeace Foundation
·
In THIS IS HOPE Will Anderson proposes a
unifying and comprehensive approach to stop the loss of ecosystems and
biodiversity and to end the wanton abuse of wild and domesticated nonhuman
animals (animals). It's essential for people with different agendas but often
overlapping goals to talk with, not at, one another, and make every attempt to
come to agreeable solutions concerning our inevitable interactions with
ecosystems, species, and especially individual animals. This is no easy ask.
However, Anderson
covers most of the issues with which deep ecologists, environmentalists,
species and animal rights activists, students of human ecology, vegetarians,
and vegans are concerned. In this ambitious and heartfelt book a wide range of
people will find common ground and a shared language for developing and
implementing a unified approach to bring an end to the wanton redecoration and
destruction of landscapes and to end the egregious harm to individual animals
for which humans are uniquely responsible. Globally, there are many passionate
people who care deeply about the world in which we all live, so as we attempt
to expand our compassion footprint and rewild our hearts we need to step out of
comfort zones and think and act out of the box. Whether you agree or disagree
with Anderson
here or there is of little concern for this book will make you think deeply
about a large number of issues that are closely connected—although at first
glance this might not seem to be the case. I learned a lot from reading THIS IS
HOPE and I'm sure you will as well. ~ Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., author,
professional
·
This is Hope: Green Vegans and the New Ecology
is thoughtful and thought-provoking. In this comprehensive and well-researched
book, Will Anderson weaves together the impact our behaviors have on the web of
life, without leaving loose ends. As a vegan, somebody with a comparatively
light footprint on the planet, I appreciated the reminder that when I buy non
organic vegan products I poison the Earth and thereby the animals. That may be
what Anderson
does best -- he challenges us to do better. I liked the challenge and know that
other readers will too. ~ Karen Dawn, author, professional
·
This is Hope is filled with well-documented
insights, eloquently expressed, into the causes and conditions of the malaise
that is spreading over the Earth and afflicting all of its occupants as a
result of the human desire to coerce the planet to conform to our will and our
will alone. Ironically, our drive entails a death wish that can be seen not
only in the extinction of other species but in the destruction of the
ecological systems and networks upon which all beings on Earth, including
ourselves, depend and into which all of us are integrated, for better or worse.
As terrible as species extinction is (I have often thought of what it must be
like for a creature to experience being the last of its kind, like the last
Dusky Seaside Sparrow who was so uncaringly reported in the news media as
having drowned in “its” water cup at the zoo and whose death as a species was
said to matter only because of what it could portend for humans) – as terrible as
species extinction is, I say: equally terrible and in some ways worse is the
endless proliferation of animals to fit the procrustean beds of global
industrial agriculture, experimental research and all of the other human
horrors that not even death can rescue them from being forced to endure in
endless rebirths of an agonized Phoenix. Apathy or Empathy, Apathy or Action:
These are the questions that confront us and that are affirmatively addressed
in This is Hope. This book presents its solid conceptual arguments in lucid
prose while evoking the experiences of actual beings who, once you have lived
with them in its pages, you will never again be able to forget or abandon for
“someone else” to care about. ~ Karen Davis, Ph.D., author,
professional
─ Zoe Weil, president of the Institute
for Humane Education and author of Most Good, Least Harm
|
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows
Order the Book from Amazon
|
In her groundbreaking book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, Melanie Joy
explores the invisible system that shapes our perception of the meat we eat, so
that we love some animals and eat others without knowing why. She calls this
system carnism. Carnism is the
belief system, or ideology, that allows us to selectively choose which animals
become our meat, and it is sustained by complex psychological and social
mechanisms.
Like other “isms” (racism, sexism,
etc.), carnism is most harmful when it is unrecognized and
unacknowledged. Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and
Wear Cows names and explains this phenomenon and offers it up
for examination. Unlike the many books that explain why we shouldn’t eat meat,
Joy’s book explains why we do eat meat – and thus how we can make more informed
choices as citizens and consumers.
Praise for Why We Love Dogs, Eat
Pigs, and Wear Cows
"Through the use of narrative, often bordering on
biography, the arguments being put forth by Joy are very well
exemplified....The volume is extremely readable, theory and jargon free as it
is. However, that is not to say that the analysis is nonscientific or
arbitrary. Rather, the arguments are firmly anchored to sound psychological
theorization....People advocating vegetarianism, professors and students of
psychology, scholars from other areas of social science, and even public
administrators in food departments would gain considerably from this extremely
well written book." ─ Rita Agrawal, PhD,
co-author, Applied Social Psychology: A Global Perspective
'Twas the Night Before
Thanksgiving Hardcover/Paperback
Let the Scholastic Bookshelf
be your guide through the whole range of your child's experience--laugh with
them, learn with them, read with them! Twelve classic, best-selling titles are
available now.
The incomparable Dav Pilkey adapts Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem to tell his wacky Thanksgiving tale. The day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm. They have fun playing with eight exuberant turkeys but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggett plans to kill all the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners. So the children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinners become vegetarian this year. The turkeys' lives are saved!
The incomparable Dav Pilkey adapts Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem to tell his wacky Thanksgiving tale. The day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm. They have fun playing with eight exuberant turkeys but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggett plans to kill all the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners. So the children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinners become vegetarian this year. The turkeys' lives are saved!
THE NORTH AMERICAN VEGETARIAN SOCIETY
(NAVS)
Its magazine: VEGETARIAN VOICE, navs@telenet.net, www.navs-online.org
Notes on its Spring 2014 number
[Dick]:
Remembering Rynn Berry , NAVS’ Historical Adviser.
Will Anderson ’s article, based on his book.
Article on making vegan “cheese” with
recipes.
Article on questions people ask vegans.
3pp. on the July “Vegetarian Summerfest”
in Pennsylvania .
Two books reviewed—one on teaching kids
to cook, the other on recipes for leafy veggies.
Four pages of books and films
annotated.
Contact Your
Congressional Delegation
See end of newsletter #6 for
calling or writing the Arkansas
delegation. What do you say to
them? Tell the person who answers you
are a constituent of the Congressman, you are a vegetarian, and you would like
to know if he is also? If he is, cheer,
and say goodbye. If he is not, ask if he
is aware that vegetarianism is good for one’s health. (Be prepared to adduce some stats and
examples. My newsletters provide an
abundance of evidence.) Then ask if the
congressman is aware that vegetarianism reduces cruelty to animals, and in
general, cruelty. (Again, some
data.) And finally ask if he is aware
that vegetarianism resists global warming and its consequences. Expect a sympathetic listener; don’t assume
rejection. The congressman prefers poor
health, torture, and rising seas? [--Dick]
Contents #4
Animal Rights, Meat Production, Global Warming, Climate Change, Feb. 4, 2014
Animal Rights
Christina
Sarich, Humane Society and Others Oppose Tyson Factory Raised Pigs
Prof. Steven
Best, Strong Advocate of Animal Rights, Google Search
Charles
Carnosy, a Christian Perspective Offers Us a Consistent Ethic
Dr. David
Katz, a Middle Position, a Vegetable Diet is Better for Health and Ethics
Warming, Climate Change
Nathan Fiala,
Meat Production and Consumption Contributes to Global Warming, Climate Change
PETA,
Vegetarianism versus Climate Change
Vegetarianism
versus Climate Change, Google Search
Stress on
Environment: Vegetables vs. Meat
Misc.
International Studies of Emissions: Meat
vs. Other Causes
Contents #5 March 12,
2014 Animal Rights,
Meat Production, Consumption and C02, Warming, Climate Change
Monbiot,
Public Mobilization
Robert
Neubecker, Linus the Vegetarian T-Rex
PROTECTING
ANIMALS (for more compassionate action organizations or for more information
about them see earlier newsletters)
UUA First Principle Project
Action for Animals PETA
Animal Legal Defense Fund
In Defense of Animals
Best Friends Animal Society
Mercy for Animals
Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine
Farm Sanctuary
Yeats and
Felder on Complicity
Vegetarianism
Against Increase of C02 and Global Warming
Vegetarian
Newsletters Nos. 1-4
Contents Vegetarian Newsletter #6 April 9, 2014
NUTRITION
Twisting
“Natural”
DIVERSE HARMS
FROM EATING MEAT AND RESISTANCE TO CRUELTY
Center for
Bio-Diversity: “Take Extinction Off Your Plate”
Welfare and
Rights of Farm Animals, Cruelty to Animals
Conversation
Between David and Kyle on Eating Pork
Rick, Visitor
at March VP: Vegan Outreach, Oppose Cruelty.org, Pamphlet
“Compassionate Choices”
Bernard
Rollin, Farm Animal Welfare
Benson and
Rollin, eds., The Well-Being of Farm
Animals
VEGETARIANISM
AN IMPORTANT CHOICE AGAINST CO2 WARMING
END
VEGETARIAN ACTION NEWSLETTER #7, MAY 14, 2014
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