Ray again:
The major problem with human use of animals (beef, etc.) is that it is a
very inefficient way of providing energy for humans to exist. Vegetarianism
is much more efficient and would leave large acreages available for
non-human animal and plant life to exist...
******
Great point Ray! Actually, even though Jim brought up some theory that
initially disturbed me, I see more balance of views on this list than I would
have anticipated, and really don't have much of a problem with the point that
vegetarianism isn't a panacea. The closest thing to a panacea for this planet
is birth control, but even that wouldn't solve all of our problems. I agree,
Jim, that with vegetarianism there would still be occupation of large expanses
of land with mono-agriculture. It is probably true that a world with no
manipulation of flora might be a more stable biosphere. Primitive hunting
societies probably wreak less havoc in the environment than vegetarians living
by monoagriculture. Furthermore, a person who hunts for his food, but does
not buy chicken, beef and pork at the grocery store, has a more ethical diet
than the average American. Nine/tenths of our grain and soybeans goes to
fattening up cattle, pigs and chickens. So with factory farming, (pretty much
synonymous to meat-eating these days), you have the absolute worst of
monoagriculture. (as Ray pointed out above). If we really want more habitat,
and more wild animals, we would want to dispense with animal agriculture,
which depends entirely on massive supplies of grains, and hence occupation of
large expanses of land for monoagriculture. Ironically, anyone who enjoys
hunting, should primarily be vegetarian, (lest there be no habitat left for
wild animals)! If anyone is shmalz, it is those people who fantasize that
ordering a bacon double cheeseburger at Wendy's is anything at all like the
hunting and foraging of primordial man. It represents monoagriculture at its
worst.
Peace for All Beings
Jamey Lee West
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