A few days ago, I was scrolling through all the Twitter messages ("tweets") from all the people I follow just to see if anyone had anything more interesting to say other than that they just had another cup of coffee or were sitting on an airplane when I ran across this link someone posted: http://www.supportmfm.org/.
For those that don't actually want to click on the link, it takes you to the homepage of "Meat Free Monday." From the homepage: "It's a food campaign to encourage the nation to help slow climate change by reducing their meat consumption by having at least one meat free day a week." What?! If you actually read on, it is only SLIGHTLY less ridiculous than that sounds. What's even more ridiculous is that Paul McCartney is a huge supporter of this thing.
Beyond the premise of "Meat Free Monday," I get so annoyed that people speak of climate change as if someone definitively proved that it is a threat to the future of mankind (http://climatedebatedaily.com/ tracks academic/scientific arguments for both sides) or somehow think it's a noble cause to throw their weight behind. In short, I tend to think that trying to curb CO2 emissions has a greater cost to humanity than the development that comes with it (as an exaggerated illustration, what if the Industrial Revolution never happened? We'd have lower carbon emissions, but would we really be "better off"?). It's like recycling: everyone just assumes it's a good thing so everyone should do it when in truth some things (like concrete) cost more energy to recycle than to just reproduce - you gotta do your research.
I think Al Gore did a disservice by using worst-case-scenario climate model predictions, relying on source data that is criticized, making much of his argument based on inverted causality (historically, changes in levels of C02 don't precede but rather FOLLOW temperature changes)...I could continue. Hey, remember the little cartoon part about the dying polar bears? Well polar bear populations have actually increased globally in the last 40 years.
I'm not saying that I don't care about the future of our planet or that scientist should not explore facts behind climate change. I think it's a good thing that An Inconvenient Truth brought attention to a branch of science that needs more attention and development. What I am saying is that the only thing you're accomplishing by not eating meat on Monday is missing out on some good food.
2 comments:
Interesting thinking, Linz. I've heard of that, too, and actually know someone who subscribes to it. I think it's probably more effort than it's worth!
I respectfully disagree with this post. There are many conflicting views concerning climate change and the role human beings have played in it, but what is important to consider is what other impact the U.S.'s unhealthy addiction to meat has on the rest of the world. All livestock survives on a diet of grains and vegetables before being slaughtered for consumption. The more meat consumed around the world, the more grains are needed to sustain the livestock. Looking at simple supply and demand, the regional and (global) price of essential grains that not only feed animals, but people around the world can only go up when feeding all of these animals. One day (or more) of meat-free meals a week can have a significant impact on the price and availability of grains for hungry people around the world (not to mention lessen the impact that the meat industry has on the environment:)). --Respectfully Submitted.
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