Today on campus I was approached by an activist with Environment America, which bills itself as a citizen based environmental advocacy group. AU is always filled with people like this, and while I don't have a problem with them I always ask them if they're vegan and 90% of the time I get either a no or an "I'm vegetarian," usually about 10 seconds before they launch into how they're fighting the power and automotive industries and lobbying to get gas milage standards upped because it's the "most effective way" to reduce carbon emissions. They show me their top 10 lists, things they're fighting or promoting. And I usually smile and nod, and then ask what they know about veganism and the environment.
To date, not one person who has stopped me and asked me to sign a petition has known anything. Nor has it been on any of their lists, despite the fact that by eliminating animal products from your diet you can reduce your carbon emissions by 1.5 million tons a year. That's more than driving a hybrid car, costs a lot less than one, and is much more streamlined and attractive. Plus you make a whole lot of cows very, very thankful.
I know it sounds odd, but if you think about everything that goes into getting your McWhatever on your plate, the emissions build up. Not just carbon either. As I'm sure we're all aware, cows, they fart. A lot. Four stomachs equals four times the gas. All those cow farts pump a lot of methane into the air.
Why aren't more people aware of this? The whole thing screams conspiracy, I know, but if you're truly dedicated to saving the environment, veganism is as natural, efficient and simple a step as signing a petition to up required gas milage, buying a new car, driving less, and recycling. It's as easy too. It seems like a complete contradiction that one would devote time and effort to saving the environment while contributing to its demise in a totally unavoidable way.
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