Comments on: Food ethics http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/ ... the online home of a librarian in Perth, Western Australia Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:07:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Sheena http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6530 Sheena Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:19:02 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6530 I have been thinking about this issue a lot, and have been attempting to go vegetarian as part of a solution since I have started living alone again. Not because I think humans shouldn't eat meat, but because of the tremendous cost to the planet of raising mass domestic animals in terms of water, land, lack of biodiversity, etc, and the cruelty involved in much of their lives and deaths. More of my solution is about eating only organic where at all possible - fruit & vegies, bread, dairy, breakfast cereal, soy sauce, coffee, nuts, everything. It is being more expensive, but I think it's actually connected to the fact that though I've been even busier than usual, I haven't caught a cold or flu this winter, despite many friends and colleagues coming down with lurgies and coughing in my face. My final act is to try and grow my own fruit and vegies, but that will be a much longer-term project as I'm a very ignorant gardener. I have planted herbs as a beginning, though. I have got so that everytime I go somewhere like KFC I get a vivid mental image of chickens crammed into cages and pecking each other frantically to get some space - it combats the seductive odour pretty well. I have been thinking about this issue a lot, and have been attempting to go vegetarian as part of a solution since I have started living alone again. Not because I think humans shouldn’t eat meat, but because of the tremendous cost to the planet of raising mass domestic animals in terms of water, land, lack of biodiversity, etc, and the cruelty involved in much of their lives and deaths. More of my solution is about eating only organic where at all possible - fruit & vegies, bread, dairy, breakfast cereal, soy sauce, coffee, nuts, everything. It is being more expensive, but I think it’s actually connected to the fact that though I’ve been even busier than usual, I haven’t caught a cold or flu this winter, despite many friends and colleagues coming down with lurgies and coughing in my face. My final act is to try and grow my own fruit and vegies, but that will be a much longer-term project as I’m a very ignorant gardener. I have planted herbs as a beginning, though.
I have got so that everytime I go somewhere like KFC I get a vivid mental image of chickens crammed into cages and pecking each other frantically to get some space - it combats the seductive odour pretty well.

]]> By: CW http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6414 CW Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:58:10 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6414 jl I hope you get over that flu soon! TB, <em>The ethics of what we eat</em> makes the point that our mass production of meat makes conditions really bad for animals and has bad consequences for the environment, too. All in the name of cheap food that is available anytime. In the past something like chicken might have been a special food, now we can eat KFC every night... Penny I wish labels were clearer and more consistent! jl I hope you get over that flu soon!

TB, The ethics of what we eat makes the point that our mass production of meat makes conditions really bad for animals and has bad consequences for the environment, too. All in the name of cheap food that is available anytime. In the past something like chicken might have been a special food, now we can eat KFC every night…

Penny I wish labels were clearer and more consistent!

]]> By: Penny http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6104 Penny Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:41:01 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6104 I tend to choose my food on the basis of sustainability, environmental impact etc these days. I wish there was more transparency in labelling, in particular, country of manufacturer. I tend to choose my food on the basis of sustainability, environmental impact etc these days. I wish there was more transparency in labelling, in particular, country of manufacturer.

]]> By: TB http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6098 TB Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:13:57 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6098 In grade 6 on a school camp the teachers took us on a visit to an abattoir. The were killing a big cow to show us how it was done. Feeling slightly sick I chose to go outside and play with the friendly goat who was mowing the weeds at the side of the building. You have reminded me of this with the first comment on Transparency...thank you for your thought provoking post. TB-) In grade 6 on a school camp the teachers took us on a visit to an abattoir. The were killing a big cow to show us how it was done. Feeling slightly sick I chose to go outside and play with the friendly goat who was mowing the weeds at the side of the building. You have reminded me of this with the first comment on Transparency…thank you for your thought provoking post.
TB-)

]]> By: jl http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6095 jl Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:25:38 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/09/25/food-ethics/#comment-6095 I'm trying to improve my eating habits as well, after our chat all those weeks ago. I'm having only fruit at breakfast and salads at lunchtime. In the evenings, i try to stick with veges as much as possible, but if i'm out with others or if it's a hassle i just go with whatever's there; same story for the weekend if we are at functions or whatever. It's not been too difficult and i do feel better (not as bloated and lethargic), even with the flu that felled me. I agree with you that we need to examine our food more closely. The fact that food production has such a huge impact on both the planet and on individual health, we shouldn't go for the easy/uninformed option(s) all the time. I’m trying to improve my eating habits as well, after our chat all those weeks ago. I’m having only fruit at breakfast and salads at lunchtime. In the evenings, i try to stick with veges as much as possible, but if i’m out with others or if it’s a hassle i just go with whatever’s there; same story for the weekend if we are at functions or whatever. It’s not been too difficult and i do feel better (not as bloated and lethargic), even with the flu that felled me.

I agree with you that we need to examine our food more closely. The fact that food production has such a huge impact on both the planet and on individual health, we shouldn’t go for the easy/uninformed option(s) all the time.

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