How U.S. Environmental Discourse Negotiates Vegetarianism
This study investigated how U.S. environmental organizations are addressing the impacts of dietary choices on the environment. A drastic reduction in meat consumption is needed to mediate the effects of climate change. However, environmental organizations tend to only advocate modest reductions, even when they recognize the greater sustainability of vegan diets. The author recommends working towards including vegetarianism and animal protection in environmental discourses.
Excerpt from Article Abstract:
“Given the impact of America’s food choices, particularly animal-based foods, on life-sustaining systems, to what extent is the environmental movement making meat-based diets an issue? This research analyzes websites of 15 U.S. environmental advocacy organizations (EOs) to examine how they negotiate the question of animal versus plant-based diets and propose solutions for food producers and consumers.”
“EOs proposed that industrial agriculture and commercial fishing/aquaculture severely limit destructive practices to more sustainably meet consumer demand for animal products. EOs offered consumers choices, including: 1) replacement of much industrial food with local, organic, and/or sustainable animal or plant foods, 2) reduction of animal products, and, to a lesser degree, 3) vegetarianism.”
“To consistently promote justice for all animals, the author recommends environmental discourse more explicitly critique animal agriculture/fishing as a primary source of environmental problems, consider food needs not just preferences, and promote fundamental changes toward a plant-based, largely organic diet.”
http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/communication_facpub/6/