Does Vegetarianism = Giving Up Meat?

by Kim, February 19, 2009 at 11:40am

Our guest blogger's post about the green movement's reluctance to take on vegetarianism reminded me of something I read a few months ago. Eating less meat is critical to planet's future, from the Vancouver Sun, provides some insight into the double standard that makes environmentalists feel comfortable with telling people to drive less but wary of preaching for a diet less reliant on animal products.

Now, you can certainly get from point A (hungry) to point B (nourished by a healthy meal) eating a diet with little to no animal products --there's ample data on the subject. So that is simply not correct. Does the article hone in on some language that has been tripping up the cause, however? Advocating for vegetarianism and/or veganism doesn't seem to be the common tactic these days, but all too often, you still hear people say, "I could never give up meat." Cater to the Earth's message is that you should consider altering your habits a little if wholesale change is not feasible. Yet, as the article points out, some environmental organizations are cautious of even broaching the subject, aware that food is related to culture and personal taste, areas that are difficult to create the same consensus over as the ill effects of fossil fuels.

Still, reducing a portion of the meat in your diet is not the same as a sacrifice, an act from which you get nothing. Trading a chicken nugget for just about anything more natural is a trade up. Eating with greater awareness tends to result in better health and more environmental responsibility. So eat mindfully, and change your diet as needed.