I've been watching a lot of documentaries lately about two things: our food, and our oceans. I know a lot of people discredit political, social, and environmental documentaries, because they feel it ends up supporting only one side of a particular issue. Maybe so, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're factually inaccurate, or that they don't make a supportive case for their argument. I believe a lot of peoples' decisions to support an issue are based upon their perception of the people involved, and not the issue itself...especially when it comes to animal rights and the environment. While humans claim the top of the food chain, a lot of them don't want to claim the responsibility that comes along with occupying that position. The earth may be on a cycle of change that has occurred since it's creation (however you regard that creation to be), but it's short-sighted and downright irresponsible to think we do not contribute to the degree of change. I think a lot of people see the earth as an infinite resource for the taking; that fixes itself when it's sick, and can't be permanently hurt, no matter how much pollution we pump in, or how many resources we pull out. And there are governments and corporations that try to control and monopolize the environment, not just for money, but for power. Power to suppress, start conflict, wage war, and feed the egos of Presidents, Prime Ministers and CEO's. This mentality affects every single species on the planet.
What you buy, how it was made or harvested, where it came from, how it got to you...it all affects the environment. A good steward is someone who will help reduce that effect. Now think of that word, "Reduce." In the U.S., there's the phrase, "Reduce Reuse Recycle." Seems like a great little marketing tool. In my hometown, we each have these big blue bins (literally the size of our garbage cans) for putting recyclable products in. Every two weeks, a truck comes and empties the bins. While it's great that we have a system in place for recycling, that's the last part of the phrase. Think about it. Our first job is to reduce! Reduce the amount of carbon monoxide we put into the air and water. Reduce runoff from factory farms. Reduce our use of plastic. All of these things are having an immediate and devastating impact on the environment, and they're having an impact on you. Do you really want to breathe polluted air, eat food contaminated with mercury, E. coli and salmonella, or swim through a pile of plastic garbage at the beach? The most valuable resource on the planet, the one thing that sustains ALL life, is constantly under attack by humans....water. Hell, when we search for potential life forms on other planets, we look to see if there is water.
The documentary The End of the Line examines the overfishing of our oceans, and the damage large scale fishing operations are having on coral reefs, coastal fishing communities, and marine wildlife. Consider this:
As many as 90 per cent of all the oceans large fish have been fished out.
Government subsidies of over $15 billion a year play a major role in creating the world's fishing fleets.
The demand for bluefin tuna in Japan and restaurants elsewhere around the world has led to that species being fished to near extinction. The rate at which bluefin is being fished far exceeds any hope of sustainability. Mitsubishi Corporation is stockpiling bluefin in enormous sums, and if the species reaches extinction, the cost for that tuna will skyrocket. It seems our insatiable appetite for tuna is actually our own worst enemy. The more we want it, the more corporations like Mitsubishi try to control it.
In Taiji, 26 fishermen are responsible for the slaughter of up to 2,000 dolphins a year. The popularity and financial success of dolphinariums and swim with dolphin programs is what keeps the slaughter going. Think if there was no demand, and the dolphins could swim the coastline of Japan in peace and freedom. Unfortunately, any cetacean that swims anywhere near Japan is in jeopardy. The rate at which Japan is fishing so many species (all over the world) from top to bottom is alarming. And the fact that Japan refuses to participate with international agreements on quotas begs the question...What will it take for them to actually notice what they're doing to the oceans? You would think a nation that relies so heavily on the ocean for its food would want to take better care of it.
In the United States, factory farms are a major contributor to air and water pollution. Not to mention the ghastly conditions animals are kept in for production. It's appalling to see these facilities, and the lack of respect for the animals that provide food for so many. I decided to become vegan mainly because I wanted no part in the way we exploit and abuse animals for profit. Since then, I've come to realize how seriously jacked up our genetically engineered food is, and the lack of responsibility agribusiness takes for the food they supply, and its impact on the environment. Corporations like Monsanto and Nestle take advantage of a system that allows them to control the seeds we plant and the water we drink. We can't take that shit lightly and think we're in good hands.
I realize there are people who want to see the slaughter in Taiji come to an end, and who also enjoy a turkey sandwich. Cultures draw distinctions between which animals they consume. It's an uphill fight for animal advocates. There are people in the United States who get caught up in thinking their rights are being taken away if there are any animal welfare laws. God forbid we take away the right of someone to run a puppy mill, or to not provide adequate care for their farm animals. Those people only see animals as property and profit. It's more appealing to someone if I tell them I've chosen not to consume any meat or dairy and lost twenty five pounds without exercising, lowered my cholesterol, sleep better, have more energy, and feel good about myself, than if I said I gave up all meat and dairy because I love animals. Look, you can visit a factory farm and feel sorry for the animals that are jammed on top of one another and don't have room to stand up or turnaround, or you can realize that the chicken with open sores and covered in feces might be your dinner one evening. Get informed about the food you eat. Do you really want to put genetically engineered meat that's been covered in feces into your body? Yeah, I get it, you hate PETA. You'd like nothing better than to jam all the beef, poultry, and pork into your mouth just to piss them off. But forget about what PETA tells you, and realize that the good you do for animals and the environment is also good for you!
We have a responsibility to not support facilities that imprison dolphins. We have a responsibility to support local farmers who practice sustainable farming, and care for their land and the animals. We have a responsibility to not support companies who irresponsibly use money and power to influence access to food and water. We have a responsibility to hold our governments accountable for the legislation they put in place that affects the environment. The power to make things better is right there. All we have to do is grab it.
We have to look ourselves in the mirror and decide how we want to live. We can't claim ignorance. Three documentaries I highly recommend watching are The End of the Line, Tapped, and No Impact Man. Every little bit we do to reduce our footprint is a step in the right direction. If we're truly serious about passing on a better, cleaner, more vibrant planet for future generations, then we have to live sustainably and responsibly.
One billion people rely on fish as an important source of protein.
According to the UNFAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), about 70 per cent of our global fisheries are now being fished close to, already at, or beyond their capacity.
As many as 90 per cent of all the oceans large fish have been fished out.
One per cent of the world's industrial fishing fleets account for 50 per cent of the world's catches.
Government subsidies of over $15 billion a year play a major role in creating the world's fishing fleets.
The demand for bluefin tuna in Japan and restaurants elsewhere around the world has led to that species being fished to near extinction. The rate at which bluefin is being fished far exceeds any hope of sustainability. Mitsubishi Corporation is stockpiling bluefin in enormous sums, and if the species reaches extinction, the cost for that tuna will skyrocket. It seems our insatiable appetite for tuna is actually our own worst enemy. The more we want it, the more corporations like Mitsubishi try to control it.
In Taiji, 26 fishermen are responsible for the slaughter of up to 2,000 dolphins a year. The popularity and financial success of dolphinariums and swim with dolphin programs is what keeps the slaughter going. Think if there was no demand, and the dolphins could swim the coastline of Japan in peace and freedom. Unfortunately, any cetacean that swims anywhere near Japan is in jeopardy. The rate at which Japan is fishing so many species (all over the world) from top to bottom is alarming. And the fact that Japan refuses to participate with international agreements on quotas begs the question...What will it take for them to actually notice what they're doing to the oceans? You would think a nation that relies so heavily on the ocean for its food would want to take better care of it.
In the United States, factory farms are a major contributor to air and water pollution. Not to mention the ghastly conditions animals are kept in for production. It's appalling to see these facilities, and the lack of respect for the animals that provide food for so many. I decided to become vegan mainly because I wanted no part in the way we exploit and abuse animals for profit. Since then, I've come to realize how seriously jacked up our genetically engineered food is, and the lack of responsibility agribusiness takes for the food they supply, and its impact on the environment. Corporations like Monsanto and Nestle take advantage of a system that allows them to control the seeds we plant and the water we drink. We can't take that shit lightly and think we're in good hands.
I realize there are people who want to see the slaughter in Taiji come to an end, and who also enjoy a turkey sandwich. Cultures draw distinctions between which animals they consume. It's an uphill fight for animal advocates. There are people in the United States who get caught up in thinking their rights are being taken away if there are any animal welfare laws. God forbid we take away the right of someone to run a puppy mill, or to not provide adequate care for their farm animals. Those people only see animals as property and profit. It's more appealing to someone if I tell them I've chosen not to consume any meat or dairy and lost twenty five pounds without exercising, lowered my cholesterol, sleep better, have more energy, and feel good about myself, than if I said I gave up all meat and dairy because I love animals. Look, you can visit a factory farm and feel sorry for the animals that are jammed on top of one another and don't have room to stand up or turnaround, or you can realize that the chicken with open sores and covered in feces might be your dinner one evening. Get informed about the food you eat. Do you really want to put genetically engineered meat that's been covered in feces into your body? Yeah, I get it, you hate PETA. You'd like nothing better than to jam all the beef, poultry, and pork into your mouth just to piss them off. But forget about what PETA tells you, and realize that the good you do for animals and the environment is also good for you!
We have a responsibility to not support facilities that imprison dolphins. We have a responsibility to support local farmers who practice sustainable farming, and care for their land and the animals. We have a responsibility to not support companies who irresponsibly use money and power to influence access to food and water. We have a responsibility to hold our governments accountable for the legislation they put in place that affects the environment. The power to make things better is right there. All we have to do is grab it.
We have to look ourselves in the mirror and decide how we want to live. We can't claim ignorance. Three documentaries I highly recommend watching are The End of the Line, Tapped, and No Impact Man. Every little bit we do to reduce our footprint is a step in the right direction. If we're truly serious about passing on a better, cleaner, more vibrant planet for future generations, then we have to live sustainably and responsibly.
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