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Besides
the main GGL's that you can read and vote for, what follows below
are more nonpolitical GGL related proposals. They are locally campaignable
and therefore allow room for discussion and consideration in your
own country.
If
you are not familiar with the GGL concept, please
read the introduction
Discussion
Menu
Non-Vegetarian
Consumers - Food for Thought
Animal
& Environment Protection - The Light and Shade of Compassionate
Causes
More Ideas for the GGL
Non-Vegetarian
Consumers
(links
to GGL's 3
& 7)
Food for Thought
Over the years, VeggieGlobal
and Looking-Glass has been involved in animal welfare and vegetarianism
on various interactive levels. Experiencing social environments,
politics and profiles on these subjects... from live animal export
to conservation projects - and from vegetarianism in the media
to contrasting policies of wildlife / animal charities and sanctuaries.
Observing public consumers
viewpoints and habits has also helped build an unbiased and conclusive
profile from each end of the spectrum on many of these related
subjects.
Mainstream Hypocrisy and a Reforming
Solution
The hypocrisy begins with
the non-vegetarian consumer.
A decision or habitual demand to purchase parts of dead animals
- conveniently "pre-killed" and shrink wrapped - sets
off a backwards chain of arguments and political discordance,
which points at meat, fish and farming industries. Historically
the chain is linked, but in modern society it begins with the
consumers demand - and the consumers aesthetic expectations.
So... the meat-eating consumer must
first answer to this ...
... a most basic, simplistic and challenging question perhaps
... but relevant:
You walk into your richly stocked
supermarket and come face to face with a live lambs, a calves
ducks, chickens and other sentient creatures looking frightened
and confused. They are tethered where the pre-packed meat counter
once stood.
All pre-slaughtered meat products
are no longer available.
There is a price tag attached
to each of these live animals... and there is also a large knife.
Would you kill the animal yourself
to eat the meat?...
Before we continue this discussion,
we have no quarrel with those few individuals who take personal
responsibility in a one to one relationship with their
own animal food source... to eat what they kill themselves...
that philosophy originates from earth-rooted cultures far removed
from the modern world of the frozen meat section and unethical
pre-packed convenience of the supermarket.
But for the huge majority of meat
eating consumers this is where "turn a blind eye" hypocrisy
begins, then moves off into many paths of ignorance. For example,
the public's general condemnation of blood sports is a fine sentiment
but they still eat the products from some of these activities
- via the supermarket shelf. The hypocrisy gets more inane ...
those who bet on the Grand National but "won't watch it because
the horses get hurt". Even children are blinded by moral
disassociation ... "I'll eat bacon but I won't eat Babe"
(the piglet made famous in the films) This is the consequence
of a self-serving society which seems to conveniently anaesthetize
a guilty conscience whenever it suits.
It's predominantly demonstrated by the nonsensical ethics
of western culture; which can look into the innocent eyes of a
cow grazing by the roadside or on an injured deer on a wildlife
hospital TV program and shed an emotional tear. But they will
never have to face picking up that knife and slitting its throat...
they just wait for it to arrive in a bun with fries.
A polite message for meat consumers
...
The less meat you eat, the less animals will be farmed - therefore
less animal suffering. If you would like to explore the possibilities
of becoming vegetarian and to also understand the huge benefits
you and the planet will gain by doing so, then you are most welcome
to explore VeggieGlobal
from the start.
Humans find ethical peace of mind
in making laws to help protect themselves. For example the tobacco
industry has to adhere to the laws bestowed on them - warning
labels on cigarette packets telling us that we could die from
smoking if we use their product. We are concerned about our own
health and we are made conscious of the risks involved when abusing
our own bodies.
But who speaks for the health
and lives of animals?
If smokers are provided with health
warnings on cigarette packs telling them that cigarettes can kill
them, then why shouldn't meat packages have "conscience warnings"
reminding consumers that meat-eating kills animals?
The GGL suggests that "conscience"
warning labels accompanied by a clear photo of the animal species
in its natural environment should be displayed on all meat and
fish products. i.e.
- Food for Thought
CONSCIENCE WARNING: 'This
sentient creature was killed for your consumption.'
- Food for Thought
CONSCIENCE WARNING: 'This
animal has suffered greatly to reach your plate.'
- Food for Thought
CONSCIENCE WARNING: 'The
oceans are being depleted of marine life.'
The
GGL also points you at a VeggieGlobal and Looking-Glass ethical
labelling campaign called NOVA.
For more information visit: www.looking-glass.co.uk/campaigns/labeling.htm
Introduction
to the GGL
Suggested
reading linked to GGL issues
This
Page Index
Animal
& Environment "Blanket" Protection (links
to GGL's 3
& 7)
The
Light and Shade of Compassionate Causes
There is
no universal policy on care of injured animals amongst the major
charitable organizations. Each control the fate of animals in
care based on their own policies.
Controversy
therefore becomes an issue even amongst the major organizations.
Where
one organization will destroy an animal if the seriousness of
injuries mean that it will never fully recover, another sanctuary
will keep the animal alive regardless.
Some
large organizations decide which animals they will play god with.
One, for example in the UK considers a wood pigeon as vermin...
so if you took an injured bird there it would be destroyed...
not nursed back to health.
The GGL suggests
that a regulatory body should be established, setting out guidelines
that ensure fair and equal treatment to animals that pass through
all sanctuaries and animal protection societies. This body will
also monitor and report conditions at smaller non-registered sanctuaries
to ensure that animals health and living conditions are not being
compromised.
This
body would extend to inspection of conservation management. To
monitor private landowners who have registered as nature reserves
for charitable benefits. To ensure that responsible methods are
applied and prioritized to ensure long-term preservation and regeneration.
That adjustments attached to such responsibilities are executed
through educated, environmental planning and not for cosmetic
appearance or short term, personal self-expression.
There is
more to read on this subject at www.veggieglobal.com/cowtoclown
To
discuss these issues with others go to the Looking-Glass
Chat Lounge
Introduction
to the GGL
Suggested
reading linked to GGL issues
This
Page Index
Here
are a few more GGL ideas
Petrol
/ Battery Powered Vehicles
There
is a new range of cars appearing, which run on both petrol and
clean electricity.
Once these vehicles become common place. A compulsory law should
be passed whereby all such vehicles must switch to battery
power when driving through towns, cities and villages. This is
because cars use up much more fuel and cause more pollution when
driving in built-up areas, using less fuel when cruising on country
roads.
The easiest way to endorse this law is by setting up automatic
trigger systems on all roads approaching built-up areas. As a
car passes through the trigger sensor, a signal will be sent to
the car's computer switching over its power from "petrol"
to "battery".
Environmentally
Friendly Goods Transportation
Canals
should be built next to all motorways to carry heavy goods vehicles
transporting non-perishable cargo. The vehicles will be transported
on barges powered by solar energy. The long roofs of the lorries
themselves will house efficient solar energy panels, which will
supply engine power to the barges. Areas of motorway services
would be adapted so that barges can also "park" (and
recharge if necessary).
Introduction
to the GGL
Suggested
reading linked to GGL issues
This
Page Index
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