Earth Day is here this month. So, what is the state of the Earth?
Well, as reported by The Associated Press in The Maui News recently (April 5): “UN warns Earth ‘firmly on track toward an unlivable world.’”
Another AP article in the paper (April 5) reports that the World Health Organization says that “99 percent of the world breathes poor air.” Not very encouraging.
So, what can we as individuals do?
Well, that same UN report said that a vegan diet produces the most mitigation of greenhouse gases. Nothing new, actually. The UN told us back in 2006 in their report “Livestock’s Long Shadow” that animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gasses then all forms of transportation combined.
Yes, that’s all cars, trucks, buses, planes and trains. Animal agriculture also is one of the major contributors to all other forms of global environmental problems. It wastes massive amounts of land, food, energy and water. So, what are we waiting for, people? If you haven’t already given up meat, dairy and eggs and replaced them with unprocessed fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, then now is the time to do so.
You will also be helping your health. The European Parliament is now urging its citizens to change their diets in this direction. Additionally, you will be helping to decrease animal suffering in a most significant way.
Stephen Beidner
Kula
