It is utterly arrogant of us human beings to think that the nature that surrounds us, the animals and ecology that coexists along with us on earth are there for our use and benefit; that we can do what we want and take what want from them. Not only is this greedy and selfish, it is an attitude that is slowly but surely destroying the world as we know it; leaving a depleted, diminished environment for future generations.
Animals as stakeholders of the ecosystem
Humans have occupied and altered the world beyond recognition – building houses, roads and cities where there should have been forests, fields, wide open wildernesses. We have altered the course of rivers, created land out of the sea, basically plundered the earth with scant regard to any non-human (and often even human) inhabitants. Humans have hunted, fished and farmed, appropriating land and water that belonged also to nature’s other stakeholders; animals!
We drove animals from their homes, destroyed habitats, and drove creatures and plant species to extinction without compunction. Man automatically assumed ownership of all that he surveyed – when did the plants and animals consent to this – to giving up their homes, being slaughtered, being bred in captivity, being bred in unnatural ways?
How the vegan lifestyle can make a difference
Veganism isn’t just about food and clothing choices – it is about an attitudinal change that recognizes the rights of animals not be confined, bred in captivity, to be slaughtered for any reason – be it food, vanity or research. And even if the principle of Veganism doesn’t move a person, here are some bald facts that demonstrate how veganism is good for the environment:
- Livestock breeding is an environmental pollutant. In fact livestock farming activity is responsible for about 18% of global greenhouse gas emission.
- Livestock farming places heavy pressure on fast depleting fresh water reserves of the world. Basically we’re running out of water.
- Farming activities also degrade soil and pollute waterways by introducing pesticides and other chemicals into the environment, doing irreparable harm.
- This also does incalculable harm to biodiversity of a region, destroying local flora and fauna.
- Livestock farming is particularly pernicious because of the unchecked and indiscriminate use of artificial hormones, antibiotics and other medications in breeding.
So even if the vegan lifestyle and concept doesn’t move one to action, there is much else that will – or at least should?