Monday, December 8, 2008
The Guardian reports today that soy farming in South America is the cause of massive deforestation. The issue here is that the majority of the soy being farmed in South America is fed to livestock around the world which are then killed and eaten. Feeding food to our food so that we can have food makes no sense. We should eat the food directly to reduce the impact of soy fed animals in factory farms.
In the UK alone, soy was used to feed 850 million broiler chickens, produce 10 billion eggs, 10 million turkeys, 4.9 million pigs and 10 million cattle for dairy and beef. Cattle and pigs alone eat more food every year that the average person. If the soy was used to feed humans directly, would be well fed and the environmental impact the meat industry has on the earth would be eliminated.
The soy deforestation argument is one that has been used by the pro-animal cruelty sect for years however, meat producers are the largest purchasers of soy in the world. Currently we are relying on both plant and animals means of agriculture to support our diet so we're doing double the damage. If we would choose subsist on soy and other plants alone we would be fine. Instead we feed our food to our food.
The meat industry is increasing the demand on the soy industry more than any vegan ever could. We can end this illogical chain of consumption by eating the food we grow directly and going vegan.
Labels: animal cruelty, factory farms, soy, The Guardian UK, vegan
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Here's a few of the most interesting stories that are floating around the web this weekend.
- Berlin zoo looks to sell baby polar bear.
- Burger King proves once again that they have zero taste.
- Once thought to be endangered, turns out they were just hiding.
- The meat industry caused a land scarcity but there may be another vegan solution.
- The 'fart tax' may not be as bad as it sounds.
- Hunter learns that karma is a bitch.
- Giant flying reptile may be dead; but alive he was a badass.
And as always, something to keep you going...
Think he knew exactly what he was doing.
Labels: The Guardian UK, vegan, Weekly Vegan Reader, youtube
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
There are a few sites out there that have lists where you can find out about ethical fashion but I found this one pretty cool. It's interactive, fun, and ran by one of my favorite newspapers The Guardian from the UK. They separate their clothes by fair trade, vegan, made from recycled materials, sustainable, and made in the UK. I appreciate that a major newspaper is acknowledging the ethics of vegan fashion.
So if you celebrate the holidays and plan on buy tons of gifts for your loved ones then buy vegan!
Check out the Guardian's Ethical clothing guide here.
Labels: eco-friendly fashion, fair trade, organic, recycled, The Guardian UK, vegan