Eating Earth: Environmental Ethics and Dietary Choice

by Lisa Kemmerer

Exploring the environmental effects of animal agriculture, fishing, and hunting, Eating Earth exposes critical common ground between earth and animal advocacy. The first chapter (animal agriculture) examines greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, manure and dead zones, freshwater depletion, deforestation, predator control, land and use--including the ranching industries public lands subsidies. Chapter two first examines whether or not the consumption of fish is healthy and outlines morally relevant aspects of fish physiology, then scrutinizes the fishing industry, documenting the "silent collapse" of ocean ecosystems and calling attention to the indiscriminate nature of hooks and nets, including the problem of bycatch and what this means for endangered species and fragile seascapes. Chapter three outlines the historic link between the U. S. Government, wildlife management, and hunters, then systematically unravels common beliefs about sport hunting, such as the belief that
hunters are essential to wildlife conservation, that contemporary hunting qualifies as a tradition, and that hunting is merciful, economical, or rooted in "fair chase."

At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer examines possible solutions to problems presented, such as sustainable meats, organic and local, grass fed, aquaculture, new fishing technologies, and enhanced regulations. Eating Earth offers a concise examination of the environmental effects of dietary choice, clearly presenting the many reasons why dietary choice ought to be front and center for environmentalists. Kemmerer's writing, supported by nearly 80 graphs and summary slides, is clear, straightforward, and punctuated with wry humor.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction, Vegan, Food

164 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Internationally acclaimed for her work in animal ethics, professor emeritus Dr. Lisa Kemmerer is the founder of the educational, vegan umbrella organization, Tapestry. Having earned a BA in International Studies from Reed College, a Master of Theological Studies in Comparative Religions from Harvard, and a PhD in philosophy--specializing in animal ethics--from Glasgow University in Scotland, Kemmerer taught for 20 years at the university level.

As professor of philosophy and religions, Dr. K wrote and edited more than 100 articles/anthology chapters and 10 books.

Books
• Animals and World Religions
• Eating Earth: Environmental Ethics and Dietary Choice
• In Search of Consistency: Ethics and Animals
• Animals and Environment: Advocacy Activism, and the Quest for Common Ground
• Sister Species: Women, Animals, and Social Justice
• Speaking Up for Animals: An Anthology of Women’s Voices
• Call to Compassion: Religious Perspectives on Animal Advocacy
• Primate People: Saving Nonhuman Primates through Education, Advocacy, and Sanctuary
• Bear Necessities: Rescue, Rehabilitation, Sanctuary, and Advocacy


She retired to develop her educational non-profit, Tapestry, which will continue her work on behalf of nonhuman animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings.

For more information, please visit lisakemmerer.com

Reviews

[Eliis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone caring for the planet!
One cannot be an environmentalist and eat meat.

[Silvia Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2017 I have decided to become vegan. What really pushed me towards this decision was my wish to have as little impact on the planet as I could, and at that time beach cleaning and organic vegetables simply didn't look enough anymore.

This book was given me by a friend without many cerimonies and without much description of it. She has been vegan for many years, and handed me some books she thought might help in my choice and strengthen my decision. This book definitely did.

It's not easy to find a book that connects environmental issues with veganism. Most books about veganism are about animal rights and dietary advantages. Of course these are important points too, but the environmental aspect is fundamental and on it's not often taken into consideration.

This book should be given as a compulsory reading at university in all science related subject. Highly recommended

[Roger Gloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A three-dimensional look at animal species and their exploitation for the habits and convenience of humans, especially Americans. Kemmerer’s slim book covers three major topics: animal agriculture, fishing, and hunting. Besides presenting mountains of statistics. graphics, and data – all meticulously researched and sourced – Kemmerer lays out, in parallel, compelling moral arguments for humanity to convert to a plant-based diet. She also describes how long-entrenched, sometimes obsolete government programs and policies perpetuate these cruel and unsustainable practices. Even worse, taxpayers unknowingly support them, for the benefit of moneyed interests who profit from them.

[TK421 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting arguments. But I am still going to enjoy a juicy hamburger.

[Celina Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

while this is a nice short overview of the environmental effects animal agriculture has, i do have slight issue with it: it’s written very dryly, like a scientific paper, with constant bombardment of statistics, but simultaneously, too vague for a scientific audience. example: “animal agriculture ‘creates more global warming than all the cars, planes, trains, buses, and trucks in the world combined’” (p13) although this is a quote from another paper, it is not followed by a comparison of the numbers from animal ag and transportation industries to show this claim, but is instead followed by other statistics solely pertaining to animal ag.

i think this does a great job outlining the issues with animal agriculture, but it could be shortened into half its size, especially as the overwhelming amount of pie charts could be cut down