Christian Vegetarian Association Blog - Monday, February 11, 2008


	CVA BLOG

CVA Blog
Monday, February 11, 2008

Environmental Degradation: Our Legacy to Future Generations

Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.

1. The True Costs
2. Famous quote – Henrik Tikkanen (1924-1984), Finnish author and artist
3. Misconceptions about Agriculture
4. Bible verse – Proverbs 21:21
5. Findings on Climate Change
6. Amazon Deforestation Inevitable?

1. The True Costs: A terrific article, "Rethinking the Meat Guzzler" ran on the front page of the Sunday New York Times Week in the Review section, exposing the devastating effects of "growing" animals for food. Mark Bittman, the author, who is not a vegetarian, warns the reader of the true costs of industrial meat production, raging from environmental degradation to human hunger. As he clearly puts it into words, "If price spikes don't change eating habits, perhaps the combination of deforestation, pollution, climate change, starvation, heart disease and animal cruelty will gradually encourage the simple daily act of eating more plants and fewer animals. To read the full article please visit Rethinking the meat-guzzler

2. “Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.” ~ Henrik Tikkanen (1924-1984), Finnish author and artist

3. Misconceptions about Agriculture: The public in general, and especially children, are taught misconceptions about agriculture through movies, books, advertisement and internet. This issue was explored at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 89th annual conference. More than 100 activist groups, with an aggregate $500 million annual budget, are intent on attacking agriculture in the U.S., said Wolanyk, director of education and research for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. In retaliation, the Foundation has produced “Addressing Misconceptions About Agriculture,” a teaching tool for farmers and ranchers designed for classroom use at the high school and college levels. The kit covers 35 issues ranging from animal production to nutrition to pesticides.

To read the full article please visit Where misconceptions about agriculture originate

Misconceptions about agriculture are perpetuated by the agriculture industry itself, since they intentional deceive the consumer and hide the reality behind it. Factory farms and slaughterhouses are hidden from the public and never portrayed as they truly are when advertising animal products. The wide-spread use of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics are minimally addressed. The suffering of God’s animals is not even taken into consideration on purpose, or the terrible consequences for human health and the environment. It is left to the consumer to make informed decisions and take a stand for God’s Creation.

4. (RSV) Proverbs 21:21
"He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor."

Fulfillment is found when we offer to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to the God and His/Her Creation, following Jesus' teaching of compassion, mercy and peace.

5. Findings on Climate Change: A report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, comprised by 2,500 researchers from more than 130 nations, is summarized in this article covering subjects ranging from evidence of human causes, to sea levels and climate change.

To read the full article please visit UN climate panel's report findings

We cannot ignore the fact that animal agriculture contributes to almost 1/5 of greenhouse gases emissions, which is more than all transportation combined. The fight against global warming and its many devastating effects must include a transition to a plant-based diet in order to reduce the number of animals raised for food. As stewards of God’s Creation we should realize that our everyday life affects our surroundings, including all God’s creatures and the environment.

6. Amazon Deforestation Inevitable? According to environmental experts, loggers are having the time of their life in the Amazon forest. Farmers and ranchers are taking advantage of the situation and go deep into the forest looking for cheap land. However, it seems the Brazil's government is unwilling and unable to halt destruction in the Amazon rainforest. According to Paulo Moutinho, coordinator at the Environmental Research Institute of the Amazon, the government measures are a positive step but just a drop in the ocean.

To read the full article please visit Brazil unable to curb Amazon destruction

While strict enforcement of rules are needed by the government, humanity conscience plays the biggest role. If we start seeing with clear eyes the devastations we’ve caused in God’s Creation maybe we’d find compassion in our hearts and a sense of justice and responsibility. Ranchers, loggers and farmers are certainly to blame in this situation, but they are not the only ones. As long as consumers keep supporting these industries by purchasing their products, we share the guilt on the suffering and destruction we are causing on Earth.

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