Of Vegetarians and Environmentalists
I’ve been watching Greenpeace videos on YouTube and I stumbled on a clip of GP campaigners talking about vegetarianism and its relation to climate change. Being a vegetarian and a volunteer for GP’s youth arm Solar Generation, I was intrigued. I watched and applauded. One meat-free day is the single biggest contribution one can have, according to a UN official. One kilogram of meat equals to flying 100km. It makes you sit up and really wonder how large your carbon footprint is when you’re snarfing down that burger doesn’t it?
Anyways, so I scrolled down to comment on the vid and saw a post from a vegan getting pissed at environmentalists who still ate meat. Although I’m a veg, I was a bit upset on the behalf of my activists friends and other environmentalists I admire, who have not chosen to go veg. In fairness to all the environmentalists, earth lovers and eco-warriors out there who aren’t vegetarian or vegan, I said my piece.
Yes, the carbon emissions that the meat industry emits is vulgar and terrifying. The cruel and inhumane process of how the meat industry raises, tortures and then slaughters innocent animals is enough to make me sick. Add to that insanity the sheer quantity of wasted energy and burned fossil fuels that are used to breed and transport the meat, and it just makes me a little too pissed for comfort… But, oh yeah there’s a “but” in all this… But it’s not a question of giving up a basic food group (even if some of us environmentalists are doing it) just to show how truly committed you are to saving the planet. If you’ve done it, well more power to you for going veg. I’d high five if you were close by. If you haven’t gone veg, but still feel an intense need to protect our planet, then who is anybody to tell you that’s not good enough. It’s the thought and the actions that you do that end up making the difference.
Now, I’m not saying okay, screw vegetarianism. Hell no. I’m a vegetarian so I understand how it is & why some environmentalist choose to go vegan or vegetarian. Vegetarianism is a beautiful thing that lets you show your love for the planet, while at the same time, caring for the other creatures that we share this planet with. I’m just saying that in whatever cause you campaign for, you must be open to all the different walks of life that you’ll encounter. You have to be open to all the possibilities and perspectives that you will come by. It’s just a matter of choice and respecting others’ choices.
I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 4 years now, but that doesn’t make me more dedicated to saving the planet than others. I know many people who are just as committed to saving the planet, but aren’t vegetarians. Although, hey, forgoing meat or poultry or fish for a day each week, won’t hurt you either. (Think about all the carbon emissions you’ll be preventing (hehe) and all those animals you’ll be saving from a painful brutal death!).
But in the bigger scheme of things, what it all boils down to is the persistence and dedication to be environmentally-conscious. Living accordingly with that awareness is the tell tale sign of how devoted you are to the cause, really. For example, you’re not a veg but you practice energy efficiency in your home/office. Also, you may eat meat but you recycle and walk or ride a bike instead of a gas guzzling car. You may not be a vegan, but you lobby government officials to support environmental causes, or you invest in renewable energy sources. You may not go you raise public awareness on different environmental issues or support your local organic agriculture.
For as long as someone lives with respect to the planet, good will always come from his actions for the earth. So vegetarian or not, environmentalist, activists and the new generation of tree huggers have my respect. We’ve got to accept one another ’s differences so we, as a united front, can tackle the issues without having to put up barriers. Because loving the planet is not about who does what the most. This isn’t a contest. It’s about what doing what’s right for the benefit of all life on Earth.