Savvy Vegetarian Blog

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Sun, 08 Jul 2007

Al Gore, Global Warming and Vegetarian Diet

Friend Francie responded to a MySpace blog post about global warming - and included a shout-out for Savvy Veg. Thanks Francie!

From Roland Vincent, MySpace, Bite Global Warming

"Gore's leadership on climate change has brought this issue to the attention of millions, for which we are indebted to him. His deafening silence on the effects of animal agriculture, however, suggest that he is either unaware of its contribution to global warming or chooses to ignore the problem, for whatever reason."

"I think it a fair question to ask: Al, what about reducing consumption of animal products as a way to stop climate change?
Or: Al, why haven't you mentioned that cattle produce more greenhouse gas emissions than cars?
Or: Al, why don't you include switching to a vegetarian diet as a way to reduce greenhouse gasses?

If enough of us ask him, perhaps he'll answer."

Savvy Veg: I immediately emailed Al Gore, but the message bounced - mailbox unavailable. I guess he heard from too many of us tree-hugging vegetarians.

Francie's comment on Roland's post:

"Al Gore is trying to get the attention of a global audience. Having grown up vegetarian I know first hand that vegetarianism actually really freaks some people out. Food is an emotional subject for most."

"I completely agree that this issue needs to be addressed on a wide scale. I would also like to see Al Gore take it on but I do not fault him for leaving it on the back burner while he wins the hearts and minds of those who are only now finally opening to the idea of global change."

"He is not soley responsible for the movement to stop global warming. Many voices need to be heard."

"Vegetarianism is actually a much less invasive life change but willingness to change needs to come first. Check out Savvy Vegetarian for some great ways to get started and stay healthy."

Savvy Veg reply to Francie's post:

Francie, thanks for your thoughtful comments on Al Gore, climate change and vegetarianism. I agree.

Environment and vegetarian diet - it would seem to be a match made in heaven. The reality is that many environmentalists are deeply attached to eating meat, and manage to rationalize it somehow - they only eat pasture fed locally raised organic beef, pork or chickens, etc. But few can actually do that - and pastured animals still do a lot of damage to the environment.

Most beef, milk cows, chickens and pigs live their short, miserable lives in CAFO's, which do incredible environmental damage, as well as making a major contribution to global warming. The Amazon rain forest is rapidly disappearing - to raise beef, or to grow crops for beef.

A few months ago, I attended a public meeting to fight pork CAFO's in our fair county. When I got up to say my bit about vegetarian diet as an answer to CAFO's, there was an uncomfortable silence from all but one of about 100 environmental activists. I'm sure they all eat bacon for breakfast.

Treehuggers! It's Time To Eat Your Ideals.

Al Gore never got my message about the Earth Save report by Noam Mohr, on vegetarianism and global warming. But you can read the Earth Save Report!.

Roland Vincent is an attorney and envronmental and animal rights activist - he says: "One of the most effective things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce your intake of meat! Eliminating meat one day a week is the equivalent of cutting your gasoline consumption by 14%!". Yes! And why stop at one day?

For more information, visit Roland's website, Stop Global Warming. Help get the message out on Bite Global Warming Day. On August 18th, 2007, Francie will be out in front of her local Whole Foods Store. Join her - but get your own store!