The Coming Vegetarian Revolution

Foreign Policy: The Argument:

I have a prediction: Sooner than you might think, this will be a vegetarian world. Future generations will find the idea of eating meat both morally absurd and logistically impossible. Of course, one need only look at the booming meat industry, the climbing rates of meat consumption in the developing world, and the menu of just about any restaurant to call me crazy. But already, most people know that eating red meat is bad for their health and harmful for the planet. It's getting them to actually change their diet that's the hard part -- and that's exactly why it won't happen by choice.

Going by the numbers, eating meat is pretty hard to justify for the even moderately health-conscious. A National Cancer Institute report released last March found that people who ate the most red meat were, as the New York Times put it, "most likely to die from cancer, heart disease and other causes." The biggest abstainers "were least likely to die." Those who eat five ounces of meat daily, (the equivalent of one and a half Quarter Pounders or Big Macs) increase their risk from cancer or heart disease by 30 percent compared to those who eat two-thirds of an ounce daily -- a stark difference.

Read the whole story: Foreign Policy: The Argument

Comments

[StopGlobalWarmingBeVegan]

Vegetarian society will come much sooner than that prediction, more like in another 4 yrs.

[Roguer]

A soothsayer? Fortuneteller? Casandra?

Comet? Tarot Cards? Tea Leaves?

Predictions should be best left to the professionals.

[Roguer]

Just a point of informatio­n...

The cattle industry does not want cattle to be stressed at the time of harvest... Adrenalin is pumped into their system when they are stressed or suffering.­.. This causes what is called a dark cutter (the meat is actually darker than normal)... Dark cutters make for tough meat that the consumer does not want...

So... based on this informatio­n... one can assume that the industry is looking to not make animals suffer if only for economic reasons...

If you look in a meat case and see a dark burgundy color to a steak that means the animal was stressed..­. if the meat is pink or light red the animal died quietly with out suffering

What is undo suffering is the ban on horse slaughter that is causing unwanted, sick, and old horses to abandoned and starved to death rather than being put down in an humane manner and made useful in the form of pet food and (believe it or not) there are some countries that eat horse meat... way to go PETA... By the way it costs over $1000 to have a horse put down by a vet and buried more to have it taken to a render er...

[freethehens]

Are you kidding me? Horse slaughter houses are the worst kind of torture for horses. They spook easily and cannot be easily killed without horrific trauma. Only a sadistic sicko thinks that the solution to irresponsible horse "owners" is to kill the horses. If people can't commit to the lifetime of care for their supposed beloved pets, and want to dispose of them when times get tough, they should never have taken on the responsibility to begin with. And anyone that breeds horses for sale should be forced to take them back if owners can't handle the responsibility.

I truly feel sorry for any animal in your "care", after reading some of your comments. Your definition of humane = killing is pretty scary. How convenient that these unfortunate animals can't refute your version of suffering. I'm sure they'd provide a different definition.

[Roguer]

I assume you will be adopting all the sick and unwanted horses?

Human society does it already with cats and dogs... perfectly healthy ones.. go volunteer at an animal shelter in the least...

McDonald's has site on you tube... live cam showing their cattle being killed...

[Roguer]

The horse slaughter ban is akin to banning abortion.

Abortions are going to happen regardless. Just depends on whether it is in a back alley or a proper medical facility.

If you were truly concerned about you would have pushed for humane facilities rather than the banning of them altogether.

History has shown that prohibitions don't work. Alcohol, drugs, guns, etc. The net result is creating a black market that cannot be monitored. And prohibition of meat, milk, fish, and egg production and consumption will only do the same.

I would wish you would look at the bigger picture.

Note that many horses are still used as a working part of the farm. And farmers have never been well off, financially. The can not afford the vet to kill it. Now he takes it to a horse sale in Id

[Roguer]

Sorry fell asleep mid post.

To continue..­.

He used to be able to take it to a horse sale and get a little money out of the horse so he could buy a new one. Now his only option is to buy a new one and quit feeding the old one (remember he needs a horse and can't afford to keep two waiting for the first one to die).

Horses are not just a beautiful luxury pet, owned by the well to do, as you have painted them, but they are an essential part of many farms and ranches and are much easier on the environment than 4 wheelers.

If you have never owned a horse or livestock and been with them everyday you have no right to comment and pass judgment. Nothing in the US. Constitution gives you that right and you infringe on the rights of others by doing so.

Note: I personally think it is wrong to keep cats in a house and declaw them. But you don't see me bringing it up and telling people they are in your words a "sadistic sicko" for doing so.

We have several cats on our farm, they are vet checked regularly and live in the barn they are part of the farm system and in charge of rodent patrol. The do play with their food should I get rid of them because they are inhumane?

[sabelmouse]

there are however corners on the planet where meat makes more sense,
the arctic for instance, but even some other terrain, mountains, boggy places that do not support growing much, but will feed a cow, goat or chicken.
wholescale veditarianism is not neccesarily the solution.

[kwinyan]

It's more than just corners of the planet where meat has made and makes the most sense. For one, the Native Americans probably couldn't have subsisted on gathering and planting alone, which is why in the plains and beyond, the buffalo was so important . Tribes would migrate in synch with the herds. We've probably become omnivores out of necessity, which is why most cultures developed as farming and hunting units.

[Maxiesid]

I didn't realize that the extent of the whole, "this is what I am doing, and I like it, so EVERYONE should do what I am doing" debate. If you like being a vegetarian, good for you!! I think you should enjoy it to the full bent of your nature. On the other hand, if I am not a vegetarian and I have absolutely no intentions of becoming one, that is something I will enjoy whether you like it or not. Why is it even up for discussion? Imagine how much happier people would be if they just didn't spend so much time being unhappy with other people's choices.

[Norak]

Many of us are fairly recent vegetarians. I will never eat meat again because I have made myself aware through reading that eating animals is a selfish, destructive practice. Factory farming, which provides the bulk of animal and chicken flesh, is destroying our land, polluting our rivers and torturing living creatures. Check out the videos at Mercyforanimals.com, read a book about how our food is being produced, how we are being fed diseased flesh, how we are contracting diseases and costing millions in health care with careless eating habits. It's a matter of conscience over greed, Educate yourself. You will be grateful you did, as will the planet.

[Dameocrat]

factory farming produces most of our veggies too. If the killing of the animals is done in a painless way it is no worse the euthanasia peta dishes out to abandoned animals.

[Roguer]

Norak, I would beg you to take a closer look at the world beyond vegan and PETA sponsored propaganda­...

I for one raise pastured grass fed beef. The receive no hormones, no antibiotics, no grain. I drive them myself to a local, family owned facility.

I will assure you that my animals do not suffer are not mistreated­...

Blanket statements such as yours is like saying "All muslims are terrorists" " All vegans are fanatics" ...

The site you posted merely shows the worst in the industry..­. most farms are family owned and there are many out there like mine... I would suggest you educate yourself. Many grass fed operations offer tours... maybe you should see for yourself rather than taking the word of biased, propaganda sites.

[enlightened cat]

Meat the Truth
http://www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.meatthetruth.com/&itemid=200805131927450.236512&itemname=Meat%20The%20Truth%20(Film)

[Roguer]

Ah. Yes. A Documentary giving all the latest data... with a long list of CELEBRITY EXPERTS.

Since when does being a celebrity and going to acting school qualify someone to be an expert on the livestock industry and climate change?

You have GOT to be kidding me.

[QueenOfViolets]

I no longer accept the myth that vegetarians are peaceful, tolerant people.

[GlennInVenice]

You should no longer accept the myth that any large group of people can be considered to have the same nature, traits, or behaviors. This myth is also known as prejudice. All groups of people are diverse and only have in common the things by whiched they were grouped.

[RMankovitz]

As a holistic health practitioner, I routinely treat vegans, vegetarians, and those that follow the Standard American Diet (SAD) with a host of serious health problems. Years of research have shown me that neither a vegetarian diet nor one that incorporates grain-fed caged animal products and processed foods, is healthy, sustainable, or natural. Ironically, all of the studies favorably comparing vegetarianism to meat-eating are based on grain-based caged animal products. In essence, two unnatural and unhealthy diets are dueling it out to see which one is better.

Left out is the eating plan Nature evolved us to eat, including free-range grass and grub-fed animal products and ripe sweet raw fruit. 100,000 human generations have proven that this diet is the healthiest and most ecologically sustainable. There are no recent studies based on this diet and virtually nobody eats this way because they have been brainwashed by the AgriGiants and feedlot meat production industries.

To learn about the evils of planting annual monocrops such as wheat, oats, corn and soy (all require huge amounts of fossil fuels and manmade chemical processing to produce), and the benefits of raising animals on perennial grass (no planting, no fertilizing, no pesticides), read:

"The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith (researches the ethical, political, ecological, and nutritional deficits of a vegetarian diet).

"The Original Diet" by me (researches what Nature intended humans to eat to provide a healthy life in harmony with our environment).

Roy Mankovitz, Director
www.montecitowellness.com

[gifu]

Kudos.

[ConfuciusSay-]

Lifespan data do not agree with the assertions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_expectancy

[RMankovitz]

Lifespan and health are poor correlates. Our paleo ancestors died from predators, accidents, and starvation, not illness. From their remains, we know they were about 3 inches taller than we are, had perfect bone density, perfect dentition, and no signs of any chronic illness. How long would you last in the wild with a spear and a few rocks, even though you may be in perfect health. Today, many are kept alive by drugs, living long and sick lives. So much for lifespan as a measure of health. You might want to take a course or two on paleopathology.

[odyssey58]

Great post. I know that I sure felt better when I switched from a grain and legume based diet to a grass fed meat and raw dairy diet. It's available locally so I don't have to rely on rice from distant areas. Fossil fuels aren't needed to rip up the earth to plant grains. And oil based pesticides and fertilizers aren't necessary either.
I will never go back to being the fat, tired, hungry and cranky vegetarian that I used to be. No way. No how.

[Roguer]

As a pastured grass fed beef producer I have been making these same assertion on the "Future Watch" forum. Seemed to have a rousing debate with some interesting individuals.

Thank you, for posting this comment.

I would add that grass fed beef is very high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids and CLA, is leaner, and tastier than grain fed beef. I won't go on.

I have already spent more time on forums than I should and 5 am. comes early, tomorrow is market day. Taking home made bread, asparagus, strawberries, and tomato plants.

[Kungfublood]

One of my students said he was on a Paleolithic diet I told him if he wanted to eat right he should go farther back and be on a protoplasmic diet.

[Dameocrat]

You have to eat nine of beans a day to get enough protein for a pure veggie diet unless you eat eggs or milk.

[AngieMom57]

Think again, think different.­...

"A Diet For All Reasons"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3881515735687284929&ei=K3spSoPwLprYqAPAwMj7CA&q=A+diet+for+all+reasons&hl=en&client=firefox-a

[Dameocrat]

I didn't see it dispute my claim.

[Yamunation]

But I wonder if we even need eggs and milk. As mammals, our mothers produce milk when we are babies, before we grow teeth, so we can eat. Animals don't drink milk after their mother stops producing it, because it's no longer needed, even for herbivores. Humans drink milk and eat eggs later in life, because we want it. If we needed it, our bodies would be producing it longer.

[Roguer]

I am not sure how you can lump eggs and milk into one basket... I understand what you are saying about milk, but honestly, I have never seen an egg come out of a human breast.

Eggs have been a staple of human diet both ancient and modern along with many other omnivores and carnivores.

[Kungfublood]

I raise you a three of breads and call.

[AngieMom57]

An amazing presentation well worth the watch and time to share with EVERYONE!

HOME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&feature=featured

We have a few years to turn this ship around folks, are you up to the adventure?

[corona29]

I think this article is a lot better than Kathy's previous fictional article about 2109. I still feel that she neglects to talk about eating wild fish, organic free range poultry, and free range grass fed red meat. I still feel that she neglects to discuss eating locally and organically as much as possible even though this article is not about the impact of our food consumption on the environment. I don't feel that you can have less impact on the environment by eating tomatoes in december that have to shipped thousands of miles than eating meat raised 10 miles from your home.

I think eating a veggie burger made by monsanto is just as bad for your body as eating a McNugget from McDonalds. I would rather eat real sugar than high fructose corn syrup. I would rather eat meat/fish and potatoes grown in the state I live in rather than eating tomatoes and and avocados grown half way around the world. If you really care about the environment than don't eat bananas or pineapple.

I hope all the vegetarians on here go and watch the movie Food INC. this summer and realize that the fruits and vegetables you eat are often garbage just like the meat from factory farms and have just as harmful of an impact on the environment and our bodies.

[messy]

NO, she just hates omnivores. Sort of like hatred of Jews and Blacks, only cuter.

[cucumber]

yeah, cuz meat eaters are such an oppressed group in this culture.

[cucumber]

Food miles are not the big deal. It really is meat that does the most damage to the environment.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13741-food-miles-dont-feed-climate-change--meat-does.html
It would be better for the environment to be a vegan who eats all food that has been shipped than to be a local meat eater. But you know what, I'll bet even despite the evidence you'll continue to repeat the lie.

[Vickster]

Grass-fed animals don't add new carbon or methane to the atmosphere. They simply recycle it. On the other, using fossil fuel to ship food from, say, California or Argentina to Michigan releases carbon that was buried for the last million years, give or take a few eons.

[Mikeatle]

I'm pretty much a vegetarian now for health reasons. I eat a bit of chicken and some salmon, but that's about it. I definitely don't need huge loads of red meat. I feel more energetic without it. End of argument.

[doawkins]

SAve the planet. We need a lot more chicken poo to fertilize the organic gardens. Even our chickens aren't vegetarian. They eat bugs and insects. More flavor. But seriously, last year fossil fuel fertilizer was extremely high. If you want fine veges, animal waste is the way to go.

[angelv]

you aren't a vegetarian in any capacity. you eat chicken and salmon, those are both animals.

[jimmyjones22]

lol Dream on.

[aLittle2theLeft]

Vegitarianism, is fine it you choose it as a way of life, to each it's own, but remember human beings are
Omnivores not Herbivores, it is quite natural for humans to eat meat and plant matter, in fact not eating
meat, fruit and vegetables is unnatural !

This diet was essential to our millions of years of evolutionary
development, especially to human beings advance cognitive ability, that are directly linked to complex
amino acids that can only be attained in large quantities from meat !!

[cucumber]

Riiiight..­.defense of "cognitive ability" from eating meat from someone who can barely write a coherent sentence. The meat ain't working for you.

Writing on a computer and driving a car aren't "natural" either, but I bet you do those things.

[ConfuciusSay-]

One might object to this hypothesis on the grounds that the meat came from animals without equal cognitive ability, despite it's richness in complex AA's. If they had the AA's first, how come they failed to get the cognitive ability first?

Or on the grounds that the herbivorous animals were the ones eaten, and they were the ones with the complex AA's, derived from *plants*.

There are 2 factors that grant an evolutionary advantage: reproductive rate and lifespan of the offspring(they have to live long enough to continue reproduction). By spamming the environment, there is greater opportunity for variation, a bigger gene pool, and thus a better chance for favourable change to occur.

Rabbits are an good example of an animal that has strong evolutionary advantage. They are vegetarian though.

[Vickster]

As someone who raised rabbits for a few years, I'm not sure they are herbivores. I saw rabbits eat their babies, as well as rabbits who bit off and ate the ears of other rabbits. I even saw male rabbits eat their own balls.

Perhaps wild rabbits will eat the occasional grub or baby mole. It may also be that their domestic cousins turn to cannabalism because they aren't getting all the nutrients they need from a herbivorous diet.

[angelv]

rabbits are also complete prey animals; everything eats them, they eat no-one. Bobcats, cougars, lynx, wolves, foxes, bears, eagles, owls are ALL on the hunt for rabbits. They have to reproduce en masse. That being said, they are clearly an important part of the food supply.

[kwinyan]

The moralistic overtones of vegitarianism are once again sounded. I find it sort of ironc how it's being lauded in that manner as an unfathomably ill and cruel vegitarian's pictures are being dislayed.

[kwinyan]

Excuse the sticking p on my keyboard--it's displayed!

[JScott]

Doesn't matter what matters is reducing human population growth. We DON'T have to have 8 billion people on the planet if we don't want to.

[Roguer]

Tired argument..­. sheesh... this has been beat to death on similar "Future Shock" posting... Not even going to get started here...