Hi Gina, Hi Everyone, I have been wanting to comment on going vegetarian or vegan for the environment. I think it is definitely much more environmentally friendly to consume the least meat possible, or none at all. Gina points out all the benefits, not just for the environment but for one's health as well. I am an environmental eater, but I am not vegan and not fully vegetarian either. I think one can be mindful and still eat some animal protein, if that is one's inclination. So for fish, I ONLY eat species that are harvested sustainably or grown sustainably. I know that reduces options drastically, but you are eating consciously. The Monterrey Bay Aquarium has a list of species that are safe to eat if you are concerned about the environment. WATCH however that they are NOT mentioning health risks associated with eating species like TUNA (hight in heavy metals). So if you are using their list, beware of health issues as well. http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_regional.aspx If I do not know where the fish comes from, I do not eat/buy it. That means at restaurants, I almost always eat solely vegetarian options. Now for poultry, there are some environmental alternatives as well. The first one is not to consume it often, but just for special occasions (like Thanksgiving...). Also, if you must eat poultry, make sure it is organic and freerange, preferably from some small farm near you where you know the production cycle is a closed loop incorporating the wastes of some species to nurture others (like composting the chicken poop to grow vegetables). I never buy chicken, but have friends that do, and I tell them I will ONLY eat it if it is freerange/organic/local. So if they really want to have a special dinner with poultry, they usually humor me by getting the sustainable alternative. I never eat chicken at a restaurant. And then we have the bigger animals, like pigs and cows. I do not eat these at all, but if you must, do it also only on special occasions and purchase only freerange/organic/local. These kinds of meat I think should ONLY be eaten once or twice a year. And if you must eat them, really make sure they are produced sustainably. http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/greener-eggs-and-ham.html If everyone were a bit more mindful in their eating habits, we would have a much better environment/health. Can we try to consume less animal products, and when we do, can they be produced sustainably? C'mon you guys! Let's walk the talk! Luisa the Green Fairy ---- Begin Original Message ---- From: Ginohn <ginohn@xxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 13:07:39 -0400 To: Eco Foundation Discussion List <eco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Eco] Fascinating! In case you don't read to the end, here's a little bon mot from the bottom of the page: Let?s review what I?ve said here: By not eating beef? and other farm animals as well?you: · save massive amounts of water ? 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of water for every pound of beef you avoid, · avoid polluting our streams and rivers better than any other single recycling effort you do, · avoid the destruction of topsoil, · avoid the destruction of tropical forest, · avoid the production of carbon dioxide. (Your average car produces 3 kg/day of CO2. To clear rainforest to produce beef for one hamburger produces 75 kg of CO2. Eating one pound of hamburger does the same damage as driving your car for more than three weeks); · reduce the amount of methane gas produced. (I imagine the next bumper sticker: stop farts, don?t eat beef); · reduce the destruction of wildlife habitat, and · help to save endangered species. That?s a pretty good day?s work, for just what you don?t put in your mouth. On Aug 2, 2007, at 1:03 PM, Ginohn wrote: > In this article, early on, it says essentially -*one pound* of beef > = showers for 1/2 year- in water consumption. > Amazing! > > http://www.lovesorganic.com/page.asp?page_id=4231 > > Gina > _______________________________________________ > Eco mailing list > Eco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/eco _______________________________________________ Eco mailing list Eco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/eco ---- End Original Message ---- ><> ><> ><> Luisa Fernanda Robles, PhD. 32 F Ridge Road Greenbelt MD 20770 301 313 0409 http://toolbar.Care2.com Make your computer carbon-neutral (free). http://www.Care2.com Green Living, Human Rights and more - 7 million members!