Original on New Politics, Winter 2022

Although the UN released a special report two years ago stressing that one of the most effective ways to mitigate warming is a plant-based diet,^[4]^ not one day of COP26 was devoted to the issue, in stark contrast to the time dedicated to energy, transport, and finance. Even as protests outside the conference called attention to this issue, the delegates inside ignored it.

One reason cited for the omission was that addressing animal agriculture would unfairly target historically oppressed communities, continuing the Global North’s legacy of dominating and controlling those they’ve colonized.^[5]^ While this may seem motivated by the noble impulse to be “sensitive” to colonial dynamics, the knowledge that these same imperialist nations’ delegates also removed from the conference’s concluding agreement the so-called Loss and Damages Finance Facility,^[6]^ which mandated compensation be paid to poorer countries for climate damages, should put any uncertainty about their true motives to rest. This is just one manifestation of how the call for sensitivity toward oppressed groups is exploited by those most responsible for current crises in order to avoid making transformative changes within their own societies.^[7]^

Unfortunately, the Western left bears some responsibility for this manipulative usage of political correctness, due both to its collective failure to reject the neoliberal exploitation of identity politics, and to its constant smearing of veganism and animal liberation as “middle class and white.”^[8]^ While it’s certainly true that vegan and animal advocacy are often conducted in colonial, Eurocentric ways, that does not mean there are no liberatory ways of advancing these goals, or that no marginalized individuals do this type of work themselves. Around the world, Indigenous, colonized, and working-class people engage in praxis that recognizes how the fates of other species enmesh with our own, and that our collective survival depends upon the liberation of humans and other species alike.

And it gives them bird flu.

Yum.

hi all, long time vegetarian, just committed myself to veganism this week. however, I'm also trans fem, and having trouble finding info on estrogen and other meds (currently seeking a scrip for adhd). any resources or tips to share? I'm in canada if that's important. thanks in advance!

Video essay by a fairly small youtube creator. She often addresses anti-vegan narratives.

Is there anything you can bring kayaking, swimming, or really anywhere people are fishing that will scare the fish away from the fishers? Ideally something not very obvious, and for kayaking something you can easily turn on near fishers and off when you're not near them?

Directly Valuing Animal Welfare in (Environmental) Economics

https://hal.science/hal-02929260/document

"Research in economics is anthropocentric. It only cares about the welfare of humans, and usually does not concern itself with animals. When it does, ... animals only have instrumental value for humans. Yet unlike water, trees or vegetables, and like humans, most animals have a brain and a nervous system. They can feel pain and pleasure, and many argue that their welfare should matter."

@vegan

So tempeh is soybeans or lentils fermented in tempeh starter. The soybeans or lentils get embedded in mycelium grown from tempeh starter. But is it possible to just get a whole mushroom meat slab with just all mycelium? Or does tempeh starter really need soybeans or lentils to grow?

I'm not a vegan, but in excited by the idea of lab grown meat replacing traditional evil farming practices

The investigation, which took place in Hebei and Jilin provinces of China, uncovered harrowing scenes of cruelty. Investigators bore witness to the appalling conditions in which thousands of animals are forced to exist. Foxes and raccoon dogs were seen crammed into tiny wire cages. Skinned foxes were blinking and moving their jaws for minutes after being brutally stripped of their fur.

Additionally, piles of bloody carcasses were strewn across the ground. Workers were using metal poles and iron tongs to move animals around.

Nina Jackel, the founder and president of Lady Freethinker, minced no words in condemning such barbarity. “With so many fashionable, durable, and warm alternatives to animal fur, there is absolutely no justification for torturing and killing animals for fashion,” she declared, urging retailers to cease the sale of fur immediately. She also implored the public to keep animal fur and skins out of their wardrobes.

Apply for Food Empowerment Project’s 2024 Scholarship Contest!

Be a part of Food Empowerment Project’s (F.E.P. ‘s) second annual writing or illustration scholarship contest! F.E.P. was established to help liberate, and empower human and non-human animals facing injustice and to spread the importance of eating our ethics. This contest is open to all youth to share the importance of fostering compassion to save non-human animals and to create a kinder world.

Opening February 12, 2024 and ending April 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM, U.S. Pacific Time. Winners are announced in the Summer!

Overview

Animal exploitation causes the suffering and death of billions of animals every year. From animal abuse in uncaring homes, environmental destruction that harms wildlife habitats, and the animal agriculture industry as a whole, animal exploitation happens in many forms. These examples, amongst many others, reflect a lack of compassion our society has for animals and their well being, no animal should have to experience abhorrent acts of violence towards their life. F.E.P. focuses on encouraging people from all generations to take pride in being vegan for the animals and showing compassion. Compassion is more than an act, it is also the way we think and can be essential to saving the lives of animals.

This F.E.P. scholarship contest is your opportunity to express the importance of fostering compassion for non-human animals to create a kinder world!

F.E.P. Scholarship Contest Eligibility

• Contestants must be 11 years old to 24 years old at the time of submission. You do not have to be a student to participate.
• Contestants must be residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
• Contest writing submission must be in Spanish or English.
• Contest submission must be original and unpublished work.