Just a quick note.  

The choice of being a Vegetarian or a vegan is indeed for the most part a
lifestyle choice.  But I would have to disagree that it is not an
environmental sound choice, as by eating veg we are getting energy lower
down the food chain and reducing the reliance on high intensive food farming
and increasing the efficiency of transfer of photosynthetic energy.  I would
disagree that the veg/vegan choice is a prerequisite to being an
environmentalist but is should be considered as a step in the right
direction or perhaps a starting point. 

Is there a need for a spiritual dimension to environmentalism ?  No I don't
think it is necessary to relate spiritualism to environmentalism but I can
see how a religious person(is that is what you mean by spiritual) would
possibility relate the two. And in my opinion if it furthers the cause of a
better environment then could it not be used as a tool for promoting
environmental awareness/responsibility.

The whole reason for my agency being set up in the middle east was the
passages in the Koran about protecting the environment. i.e.

"The world is green and beautiful and God has appointed you as His stewards
over it. He sees how you acquit yourselves"

>From sayings of the Prophet Mohammed.

Just a few ideas 

Ramsey   

-----Original Message-----
From: emma fieldhouse [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2000 4:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Greenpeace and an introduction



Steven Bissell wrote:

Just got to say it Maynard, I disagree on both counts. Vegetarian or Vegan
lifestyle and opposition to GMO should *not* be used as criteria for
"greenness" because neither are irrefutably environmentally solid. I'm
coming to believe GMO is more and more suspect, but I wouldn't hold it up as
an absolute yet. As to vegetarianism, I'll still argue that for most
situations that is a dietary choice, not environmental. In many cultures and
eco-regions, eating meat is much more sensible. I'm not trying to start the
old "vegetarianism is more healthy" debate, it might be and still not be
environmentally sound.


I'm not too sure whether I consider the vegetarian issue to be a truly 
environmental issue and I'm quite disturbed by the amount of time spent 
arguing this point... but I am including data collection on vegetarianism in

environmental organisations to see whether the connection is made by 
individuals employed by environmental organisations.

At a meeting over the weekend, I met an ex-Greenpeace activist who said that

the debates over the "veg/vegan" issue created more warring problems than 
the activists' external fight against corporations. I understand the 
arguments but isn't there a lot more to being green than just changing your 
diet? Is there a need for a spiritual dimension to environmentalism as well 
as a practical one?

Regards,

Emma Fieldhouse
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