Christian Vegetarian Association Blog


	CVA BLOG

CVA Blog
Monday, Nov 3, 2008

How to Restore the Environment with our Diet

Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.

1. Change Menus to Curb Global Warming
2. Famous quote – Mohandas K. Gandhi
3. Cheap Meat?
4. Bible verse – 2 Corinthians 7:1
5. Vegetarian for the Earth
6. Eat Less Meat to Save Fossil Fuel

1. Change Menus to Curb Global Warming: Studies indicate that animal agriculture contributes to global warming; and therefore, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) research believes that food, in particular beef and dairy, is a major contributor to the average household's greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that a reduction of one 150-gram serving of beef a week results in annual savings of 10,000 liters of water and 300 kilograms of greenhouse gases. Maureen Collier, spokeswoman of the Brisbane Vegetarian and Vegan Society, said, "We are hoping that once people realize the effect that a meat-eating lifestyle is having on the environment, they will think more seriously about a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle."

To read the full article please search online for: Climate issues heat up menus

Adopting a plant-based diet is beneficial to God’s Creation since not only is it healthy and alleviates animal suffering, but also helps restore the environment.

2. “There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.” ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869 – 1948)

3. Cheap Meat? Raising animals in factory farms might seem the most efficient and cheapest way to obtain animal products; however, once we consider the toll in takes on the environment and on our health, prices don't seem so cheap anymore. In May, a report from a Pew Charitable Trusts Commission, concluded that "confined animal feeding operations," or CAFOs, generate not just huge amounts of meat but rivers of sewage, clouds of contaminated dust and nearly a fifth of all greenhouse gases. Moreover, some bacteria strains such as E. coli bacteria evolve into deadly ones due to the massive overuse of antibiotics. The solution? To get rid of them and replace them with sustainable farms.

To read the full article please search online for: The cost of steak

Factory farms are a big offense to God since they cause unimaginable suffering to God's animals, pollute the environment and sicken people. Getting rid of them and transition to a plant-base diet would honor God and help us be good stewards of Creation.

4. (RSV) 2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

We are called to be good stewards of God's Creation, and that includes our body and spirit. A plant-based diet is a God-honoring way to take care of our bodies by avoiding the substances in meat that cause many diseases. Eating the great variety of non-animal foods helps us stay healthy and take care of our spirit by avoiding the violence, suffering and cruelty involved in raising animals for food.

5. Vegetarian for the Earth: Vegetarianism is easier on the environment. The United Nations is now urging wealthy nations to make a dramatic shift in eating habits in order to curb climate change. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- which shared the Nobel Peace Prize last year -- said a progressive reduction of meat intake is imperative since meat production accounts for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

To read the full article please search online for: The UN's meatless drive

6. Eat Less Meat to Save Fossil Fuel: Once again scientists are raising awareness on the fact that what we eat affects the environment. David Pimentel and his colleagues at Cornell University in New York suggest these strategies to cut fossil energy fuel use in the food system by as much as 50 percent:

- Americans should eat less, especially of the traditional American diet, which is high in animal products, junk and processed foods

- Moving towards more traditional, organic farming methods because conventional meat and dairy production is extremely energy intensive. Similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.

- Changes to methods of food processing, packaging and distribution.

To read the full article please search online for: Eating less meat and junk food could cut fossil fuel energy use almost in half

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