David Sirota: Eating Like There’s No Tomorrow

[marmar]

from In These Times:



Eating Like There’s No Tomorrow
Meat consumption not only affects our environment, but also our access to antibiotics.

BY DAVID SIROTA


Right around now, many Americans are picking at the last few chunks of leftover turkey. This annual ritual is a reminder that stripped of its pilgrim mythology, Thanksgiving is an extended paroxysm of meat consumption. Oh, sure, we go out of our way to pretend it isn't really about that to the point where the president of the United States makes a public spectacle out of pardoning a bird. Yet, this particular holiday is our culture's grandest celebration of flesh eating–and therefore, it has become a microcosmic example of our willingness to risk self-destruction.

I can already hear your inner monologue–the one saying that such apocalyptic language is irresponsible hyperbole. But take a moment away from those leftovers to consider just two scientific realities.

The first is catastrophic climate change. According to a report last year by two former World Bank experts, more than half of all carbon emissions come from the livestock industry that supports the meat economy. Those emissions are related to everything from transportation to land use to excretion to petroleum-based fertilizers that generate animal feed. The more meat our society consumes, the more these carbon emissions continue, the more we intensify climate change, and the more we imperil human survival on the planet.

Let's say, though, that you are one of those head-in-the-sand types who insists that climate change isn't happening or isn't anything to be concerned about. This, of course, is a convenient theology that self-servingly rationalizes a narcissistic aversion to any kind of sacrifice or lifestyle change. But, for argument's sake, maybe you reject all the environmental science and you genuinely either do not believe the climate is changing or you believe that the changes are inconsequential. Even then, I'm guessing you want life-saving medicine to continue being effective, right? ........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://inthesetimes.com/article/15955/eating_like_theres_no_tomorrow/

[xchrom]

1. du rec.

[Eleanors38]

2. Hunt & fish more!

[Retrograde]

3. Great advice for city dwellers

Welll, we do have squirrels and raccoons, but we also have laws against discharging firearms. I suppose I could trap them, but IIRC the fuzzy-tailed rats may be a protected species, and the coons carry a variety of interesting parasites. I could try for birds, but the recent crow invasion has driven off the mourning doves and most of the other small birds. There are some Canada geese that have become pests at a local park, though...

[Eleanors38]

5. A lot of hunters live in the big city, too. Most states have

early-season bow-hunting as well as muzzle-loader seasons before "general (modern-era) gun seasons" even start.

Fishing is usually an easier and less costly option, and most fishers live in urban areas.

I prefer animals with more rural diets, and for most people, they are nearby.

[rickford66]

4. What a coincidence

I happen to be finishing up some organic, locally grown turkey. Also when I walked our dog down the road this morning there were about 4 or 5 wild turkeys in a field. I know people who hunt turkey. You can spend a lot of time and energy getting one. They seem to appear when no hunters are around.

[Eleanors38]

6. Your state may have a Fall turkey season which coincides with deer season...

It's worth checking out. Deer-hunting allows you a chance for a 2-fer, or at least an opportunity for scouting. If you find an area splattered with bird shit below a tree, that may be a roost. If a relatively clear & nearby area is marked up with many arcs drawn into dirt as if by a stick, that is a strut area where turkeys sortie up or seek mates -- this will confirm the roost. Don't hunt the roost (may be illegal); set up by the strut area.

Turkeys have a roost, strut, walk-feed, loafing, roost routine that can be unraveled.

The meat of a wild turkey leaves that of even organic farm-raised birds way behind, imo.