Veganism a step in the right direction

WITH all of the negative news in the media, World Vegan Day on November 1 is an example of an ever-increasing group of people who do their utmost to live compassionate lifestyles and to have a light footprint on the earth’s resources.

A major shift toward veganism is a significant step in effectively responding to the current food crises and other societal problems. Please consider: At a time when food prices are soaring, when there have been recent food riots in at least a dozen countries, when an estimated 20 million of the world’s people die annually due to hunger and its effects, over 70% of the grain produced in the United States and over 40% of the grain produced worldwide is fed to animals destined for slaughter.

It takes up to 16 pounds of grain in a feedlot to produce one pound of beef.

In a period of increasing droughts and with over half of the world’s people expected to be living in areas chronically short of water by the middle of this century, it takes up to 14 times as much water to produce a typical western animal-centered diet than a vegan diet.

While the world is heading toward an unprecedented catastrophe from global warming, a 2006 UN Food and Agricultural Organization report indicated that animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) than all the world’s cars, trucks, ships, planes and other means of transportation combined (18% vs. 13.5%).

Making the situation even more critical for each of the above issues, the same report projects a doubling in the amount of animal products consumed globally in 50 years, and this would negate the effects of many other positive changes that are currently being considered.

The production and consumption of meat and other animal products violate human health.

Bernie Wright

Alliance for Animal Rights

PO Box 4734

Dublin 1