Peer2Politics

The frustration that I have with environmentalists ignoring animal agriculture as the primary cause of climate change was shared a few days later when I attended ‘Cowspiracy’, in which this was the main premise. Despite the conspiracy theory nature of the title, the movie was much better thought out than that. The documentary referred to the fact that UN reports had been repeatedly reporting animal agriculture as the leading cause of Greenhoouse Gases (GHG), with the World Institute equating this proportion to 51% of GHGs, or 32 000 million tonnes [1] This takes into account Methane (with a global warming power at least 23 times that of Co2) and land clearance. The Standard American Diet is much less efficient in terms of land area use compared to entirely or mostly plant based diet, with many studies suggesting the difference is quite dramatic [2], [3]. livestock agriculture now covers 45% of the earth’s surface [4]. Consider that transportation, the next highest emitter of GHG emission, contributes a much lesser proportion at 13%.

There was pervasive civic and social unrest across the US, bringing issues like racism and justice to the forefront yet again, as well as a historic agreement with China to mitigate carbon emissions. Meanwhile, India enacted a law requiring companies to spend 2% of their net profits on social development, the Philippines suffered yet another big typhoon, and the Ebola crisis killed more than 7,000 people in west Africa. Then there were the media shakeups, including buyouts at the New York Times, a mass exodus at the New Republic and a shift in Bloomberg’s top ranks.

Being at the People’s Climate March was awe inspiring. Waves of indigenous people, labor activists, faith organizations, college students, and environmental groups streamed through the streets of Manhattan flooding it, this time, with hope and optimism. The diverse groups embodied a collective conscience that showed how unchecked climate impacts would dwarf their other successes. They flew seagulls, hoisted colorful banners, rode an ark, posed with insightful signs, and played instruments in an unmatched visual spectacle. Over 300,000-plus people fed off the energy of enthusiastic marchers worldwide on screens dotted along the route. The lively event went mute at 12:58 p.m. when we observed a moment of silence for victims of the climate crisis. Then the rainbow of individuals sounded the alarm.

As concerned citizens mobilise for climate change demonstrations across the world, never has it been more important to embrace a collective demand for ‘system change’ as the surest way to limit global warming and ensure environmental sustainability.

Vatican officials to discuss climate change and environment with scientists and activists including Naomi Klein

We are building a social movement to mobilize America and protect civilization from climate change.

Bill McKibben: Our fight, from indigenous people in Canada to ranchers in Nebraksa, now challenges the fossil-fuel industry at every turn. If the president sticks to his word, this will be a landmark win

Flood Wall Street signals radical disobedience, a destituent power that will rise to inundate the institutions of the political and financial order.