The Gist: Good morning VegNews Book Clubbers! We are in the third week of our discussion of Veganist by Kathy Freston, which I hope you guys are enjoying. Just a reminder, you have until this Wednesday to submit your questions for Kathy, which she will be answering at the end of next week. Looking forward to it!We read three more "Promises" for our discussion today. First, "Promise" six states that by adopting a vegan diet, you are helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. We all know how completely wasteful factory farming is, and Freston reiterates that fact in this chapter.
Freston continues about the wastefulness of factory farming, which leads into the seventh "Promise." In this section she states that you will be helping to feed the global poor by adopting a plant-based diet. The amount of grain fed to animals to be slaughtered is incredible, and could be used to feed so many starving people. It's really hard to fathom.
Finally, the eighth "Promise" talks about the suffering of animals, and how by being a veganist, you can reduce that suffering. I don't want to go into all of the terrible details, because the plight of animals in factory farms is so dire, and it is a very sad subject to think about. I think it's important for people to read and learn about though, in order to get the message across. Freston features several personal and investigative stories, from such people as Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary, Josh Balk of the Humane Society of the United States, and Nathan Runkle of Mercy for Animals.
The Discussion: Here are two discussion points to help get the conversation started. I look forward to hearing from you!
1. Being a vegan drastically reduces your carbon footprint. What other things do you do to reduce your footprint?
2. The stories mentioned in "Promise" nine are of some very courageous people, who put their comfort aside to help animals. What is the hardest thing you've ever done for a cause, be it for animal rights or another cause?
The Assignment: Please read the rest of Veganist for our discussion on Monday, March 21. And send in those questions!
~VN Book Club Hostess Lyndsay Orwig
Some of the ways I try to reduce my carbon footprint are: In our home we only turn the water heater on for about 4 hours a day. It’s just enough to do dishes, taking baths, etc. until the next day. Use ceiling fans as much as possible to help cooling and heating cost. Using reusable water bottles. Of course not leaving lights(or electronics either) on when we aren’t in a room. We try to recycle and reuse when we can. Buying or making our own natural cleaning products. During the day we open blinds and doors to let natural light in. We do all errands and shopping one day a week. We also hang our laundry to air dry naturally when possible. There are so many ways to reduce my carbon footprint.
ReplyDeleteThere are many causes I support and believe are right. To me the hardest thing for any cause is standing up for it even though others don’t agree or try to discourage me from it. Being determined not to let anything or anyone to make me back down from my causes and what I believe in. There are always going to be challenges but I just keep strong and remember why I stand for that cause. I don’t need anyone’s approval to do what is right or what I believe in. Even though others don’t understand why I chose what I’m doing it’s rewarding to do the right thing anyway.
Thanks so much for sharing Crystal! I look forward to reading more comments, and will be wrapping up tomorrow.
ReplyDelete~VegNews Book Club Hostess Lyndsay Orwig