I have a friend, let's call him S., who has been giving me some really thought provoking ideas on food and diet. I've argued back and forth with him on Facebook several times, both in private missives and publicly on either one of our walls. He's very pro-meat, but that's not why he's taken a strong position and me and every other veg*n for our dietary choice. His premise is basically that there's no way a veg*n can live sustainably in the U.S. (I'm not sure about his views on tropical areas where fruit and tuberous vegetables are plentiful). When he says sustainably, I can only assume he means with a minimal ecological footprint.
So, while this provocation really makes me think, it's also really frustrating because he tends to generalize about veg*ns. As if all veg*ns were of the same mind, that their lifestyles are all the same, and that they are all doing it for revolutionary, progressive, or environmental ideals (which he claims are all a sham anyway). He likens abstaining from meat, fish, dairy, and poultry products as being nothing more than a misguided dietary choice.
I've countered that this overlooks thousands of years of the development of culture and religion which either condones or precludes the eating of certain food. I think most people accept that these decisions were often made over long periods of time, and could possibly be based on economic and environmental reasons. Veg*ns have a longer documented history in eastern religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism (all religions native to India), but there is also a rich veg*n history in modern western history as well (which could be directly related to influence from eastern religion and philosophy as well).
Religious, moral, ethical, and environmental beliefs do matter for a lot of people, and I think that what my friend S. is concerned about is that in the United States veg*ns who are trying to live a conscientious, environmentally sustainable life are living in some sort of cloud of ignorance and misinformation. His main contention is that the modern agricultural industry relies on the destruction of the environment through deforestation, pesticides, distribution (fossil fuels), and things like that.
I would agree on that point - agribusiness is not a pretty picture. But on whether one can sustain themselves on locally grown fruit, veggies, nuts, grains, berries, etc. vs. those things plus locally produced animal products I do not agree with him that relying on animals is necessary. I would argue that using animal products is more detrimental overall. Why? I don't consider myself an expert, but I do know how find an answer. I know the difference between a good source and a bad source. I happen to trust the United Nations Environmental Programme when they come out with a report that says that an animal based agricultural system is unsustainable (Source: The Guardian, 6/2/2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/02/un-report-meat-free-diet). I believe John Robbins, the author of Diet for a Small Planet, when he writes that grass fed beef is just as problematic as grain fed beef on his website (Source: The Food Revolution website, retrieved 6/7/2010 http://www.foodrevolution.org/grassfedbeef.htm). I believe the Nobel Prize winning group, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, when they suggest a meat based diet for the planet is unsustainable (Source: The Guardian, 9/7/2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/07/food.foodanddrink). I could go on and on about with more sources - these are just some of the most recent.
The sources on the pro-meat side are much less credible. A little known book published in 2009 by a radical eco-feminist has appeared on some websites, including my friends Facebook page. I also found a pro-meat rancher who wrote an article called The Carnivore's Dilemma (Source: New York Times, 10/30/2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/opinion/31niman.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=carnivore's%20dilemma&st=cse) There's also the entire meat, fish, dairy, and poultry industries that you may look to, as well as the mainstream culture which seems to have no problem with the way we are farming animals. I just don't think that bias is credible. It's the same ignorance that my friend S. was accusing me and others of perpetuating.
In the end, none of us have the truth. None of us, alone, has the power to change things either. That is why I think that everyone should get as much good information as possible and just try to live that way - if the purpose is sustainable living with the environment. There is no perfect way, there is only our attempt at perfection. And perhaps acceptance of imperfection.
I hope that some of this information is helpful to others as they make their dietary choices. I really appreciate the chance to write about my views.
(Veg*n is vegan or vegetarian - I happen to be a vegan)
