Comments ecofriend27 has made

  • "One dollar, one vote"

    As this title, derived from Ha-Joon Chang's seminal book, "Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" suggests, our current capitalist system is marred by special interests. The fact that a corporation like Monsanto can procure the funds to hire expensive lobby firms is ludicrous. There is absolutely no sense of democracy in such a procedure. Monsanto's power is akin to the fact that we invest billions into the research and development of drugs that treat erectile dysfunction, yet leave a relative pittance for developing drugs that treat tuberculosis, despite the fact that tuberculosis consistently devastates millions.
    That said, Mr. Philpott has it right; we need decentralized agricultural production. We need to bring crop yield to the community level again. Cuba is a prime example of such a "reverse process" and has actually thrived with regards to crop yield and overall physical well-being. Let us learn from history and reshape how we approach our most vital resources. On As corn and soy fields drown in rainwater, the food crisis deepens posted 1 year, 5 months ago 19 Responses

  • Some facts

    Lactovegetarian or vegan (plant-based) diets require significantly less land than meat-based diet. This is because:

    Livestock consume between 40-50% of the crops produced within the US, thereby requiring more land.

    Cows produce subtantial amounts of methane (a greenhouse gas)

    Present methods of cattle raising (massive feedlots) produce vast quantities of toxic fecal matter and eventually serve to contaminate surrounding water resources.  

    Further, you should be well aware of other viable alternatives to Subway. Check out your local Co-op or farmer's market. Check out restaurants that favor locally grown produce. If this sounds like hippy shit, so be it. Enjoy!

    References:

    http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/78/3/660S

    http://www.epa.gov/rlep/faq.html

    http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article ...On Are you a vegetarian? posted 1 year, 7 months ago 53 Responses

  • Creating Delectable Taboos

    Thank you Adam for the enlightening post.

    It seems that ecological, sustainable, or 'blue' progress will occur as a function of a social revolution. Indeed, as Adam had pointed out, Paul Hawkins documents the socially inspired changes that are presently occuring globally. What is likely to happen (hopefully sooner, rather than later) is the development of ecologically driven taboos. Indeed, an examination of relatively recent behaviors highlights the frightening fact that recycling, restraint from littering, appliance efficiency, etc. are fairly recent phenomena. Of course, we do consume more clothing and appliances, electronics, etc. than ever before, but people appear to be formulating certain eco-friendly taboos. Consider littering for example; although not entirely ameliorated, this polemic is largely frowned upon. I sincerely hope that soon, SUV purchases, suburban and exurban growth patterns, and other mindless methods of consumption with become ensnared in some healthy taboo. This will lay the requisite groundwork for cyclical and ethical consumptive patterns. Psychological and sociological sciences are instructive. They may facilitate the incorporation of social indicators (e.g. quality of life measures, volunteering behaviors) into mundane economic dialogue.

    Regards,
    SethOn Adam Werbach calls for a new movement of a billion consumers posted 1 year, 7 months ago 73 Responses