Category: Sustainability

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The Prevention Imperative

When any organisation states that its purpose or mission is to prevent cruelty to animals, one would expect that such an organisation would be engaged in activities that focus on prevention.

Let’s consider the meaning of the word, ‘prevent’

Prevent, v.t. 1. to keep from occurring 2. To stop from doing something

To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible.

Prevention is something that happens before the fact, not after the event of cruelty has already occurred. It’s something we do, in every case, to stop something happening. We drive safely to prevent accidents; we eat healthily and use vaccines to prevent disease; we behave considerately to prevent conflict.

When one considers an organisation, it’s a little more complex, since an organisation is engaged in many activities, but surely the intent of the organisation must be to fulfil its mandate guided by it’s stated or at least implied purpose embodied in its name? Surely the main focus of its activities should be on those most likely to prevent cruelty?

Continue reading “The Prevention Imperative”

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Why I Don’t Eat Animals

I finally finished the first edition of my booklet, “Why I Don’t Eat Animals”. I started it in 2011, and due to new research, changes in my own thinking, and work demands, it has taken me four years to complete.

I wrote it because I noted that many people either did not know about or did not understand all of the facets of the animal consumption issue, and whenever I came across literature on the subject, it invariably focused on one aspect and not the others. So there were essays and books dealing with the ethical argument that did not engage with the environmental issue or the question of socio-economics.

This is my attempt at presenting a comprehensive explanation for why I believe there is a rational case for reducing or ceasing the consumption of animals. I also wanted to keep it concise because I recognised that many people have an aversion to reading lengthy tomes. At 24 pages, it is an hour’s investment and hopefully it will keep you engaged. One can always follow the many links, should there be a need to read more detail.

This is not a book for academics, who may find the philosophical presence incomplete. It’s a book for laymen and pragmatists, written in language that everyone can understand. It’s a book that can be read by those wishing to understand more about the place of non-human animals in our world, those who have some sense of environmental responsibility or conservation, or even by those who are opposed to consideration for animals.

Download it here: Why_I_Dont_Eat_Animals

My sincere hope is that those who read it will apply their minds to the arguments contained, consider the ramifications of their thinking and action, and, should they see the need, make the necessary changes.

Derek du Toit

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Meat: the Hunger Connection

A common myth about hunger is that it is caused by ‘scarcity’ and this perception very much depends on what you mean by the term. The idea that there is not enough food for everyone is not one supported by the facts:

“Hunger is caused by poverty and inequality, not scarcity. For the past two decades the rate of global food production has increased faster than the rate of global population growth. The world already produces more than 1 ½ times enough food to feed everyone on the planet. That’s enough to feed 10 billion people, the population peak we expect by 2050. But the people making less than $2 a day – most of whom are resource-poor farmers Continue reading “Meat: the Hunger Connection”

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Food Choice and Global Depletion

There is an ‘Elephant in the Room’ that nobody in conservation or climate change is talking about, and it’s strange, bordering on insane…

“What are all of the conservation groups doing about the problem of global warming and destruction of our environment? Surely they must know of the global depletion/food choice connection and are doing something about it, right? No. The answer is they are not. All of these groups are concerned with climate change, however, they are focusing on the wrong issues- refusing to make any statements about the profound effects eating animals has on the environment – despite the fact that it does, and despite the fact that we entrust them to preserve and protect our planet.” ~ Dr Richard Oppenlander, author of ‘Comfortably Unaware’

If you are not aware of the effects of the meat industry on global depletion of resources such as land, water, soil and its effect on species loss, poverty of course global warming, not to mention the overfishing of the seas, then it’s possible that the conservation groups you trust have either misled you, or simply don’t know, which in itself is alarming.

Look at this page to see the facts: http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/#

(If you want to see the movie, email me at derekdut@companions.org.za )

The fact is, climate change is very real; it’s occurring now and worsening, and the situation is urgent. Human activities producing GHG emissions significantly affect climate change. Raising animals is one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic GHG emissions and, therefore, human-induced climate change. Meat production produces more greenhouse gas emissions than transportation with direct emissions from meat production accounting for some 18% of world’s total. Continue reading “Food Choice and Global Depletion”