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Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were
A tour of some of the world's most iconic and endangered species, and what we can do to save them.
Most of us are aware that many animals are threatened by extinction--the plight of creatures such as polar bears, tigers, and whales has been well publicized. While this is typically attributed to climate change and habitat destruction, few people realize that there is a direct link to consumer demand for cheap meat.
Some may see intensive farming as a necessary evil. After all, we need to produce more food for a growing global population and are led to believe that squeezing animals into factory farms and growing crops in vast, chemical-soaked prairies is efficient and leaves land free for wildlife--but this is far from the truth. With the limits of the planet's resources now seemingly within touching distance, awareness is growing about how the wellbeing of society depends on a thriving natural world. Through the lens of a dozen iconic and endangered species, Dead Zone examines the role of industrial farming in their plight and meets the people doing something about it.
By the author of the internationally successful Farmageddon , Dead Zone takes the reader on a global safari involving some of the world's most iconic and endangered species. The focus shifts from the plight of farm animals to the impact of industrial farming on specific endangered species, as the book lays bare the myths that prop up factory farming and shows what we can do to save the planet with healthy food.
Most of us are aware that many animals are threatened by extinction--the plight of creatures such as polar bears, tigers, and whales has been well publicized. While this is typically attributed to climate change and habitat destruction, few people realize that there is a direct link to consumer demand for cheap meat.
Some may see intensive farming as a necessary evil. After all, we need to produce more food for a growing global population and are led to believe that squeezing animals into factory farms and growing crops in vast, chemical-soaked prairies is efficient and leaves land free for wildlife--but this is far from the truth. With the limits of the planet's resources now seemingly within touching distance, awareness is growing about how the wellbeing of society depends on a thriving natural world. Through the lens of a dozen iconic and endangered species, Dead Zone examines the role of industrial farming in their plight and meets the people doing something about it.
By the author of the internationally successful Farmageddon , Dead Zone takes the reader on a global safari involving some of the world's most iconic and endangered species. The focus shifts from the plight of farm animals to the impact of industrial farming on specific endangered species, as the book lays bare the myths that prop up factory farming and shows what we can do to save the planet with healthy food.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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946 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 2, 2018
The entire book can be summarized with: we're screwed, and it's our own fault.
A viable solution to alleviate the situation: forsake meat once a week. I have steered my household's eating into fish and fowl. Preferably birds reared locally, outside, in decent conditions. I would really prefer to be a vegetarian going on vegan, but that would mean preparing two meals and that's just not in the cards.
The Norwegian farmed salmon is being moved to a plant-based diet, but still, the majority of the world's farmed fish are fed with pellets made of other fish. Meaning that eating fish is exacerbating the over-fishing of the oceans no matter what you do.
Cattle raised for meat are fed soya meal, much of it harvested in Brazil where the expansion of soya fields are causing rain forests to be cut down. Same with chicken and pork.
I was in Finland earlier in May. My sister has a chicken coop with five very determined ladies. Watching a hen do what it is supposed to do - clucking on the lawn, chasing down grubs and insects, is so much fun. They all have different personalities. That wasn't the point of this paragraph though, no, my sister said that her birds are allowed outside only after the trekking birds have flown, due to the possibility of spreading of bird flu. I thought "huh, how did they come up with THAT?", but didn't question. This book explains that the outbreaks of bird flu in intensively farmed chicken - who never get to be outside - were blamed on wild birds. Right. Such a logical conclusion. And this is how far the stupidity spreads: EU forbidding birds to be outside for periods when their wild ones fly past.
The truth is that industrially reared animals live miserable lives and are much more prone to disease than their better-kept counterparts. In crowded conditions, disease spreads more quickly and bird flu often becomes far more virulent.
Here are a few facts you would rather ignore, but that I hope you don't.
- Industrially farmed animals are reared in miserable, indoors conditions that belie their nature.
- Farm animals are fed on soya meal, which is causing rain forests to be cut down
- Currently the world produces enough crop to feed 16 billion people, but most of the crops go to feed animals bred for meat
- The pressure for more crops reduces the habitat of wild animals.
- The pesticides used in farming kills wild animals.
I was shocked to read that a common neonicotinoid is so poisonous that birds die after eating just a few grams of seeds dunked in this. Neonics cause insects to lose their sense of direction, and this is what causes collapses of bee and bumble bee populations.
Wikipedia says the following, by the way, making me wonder who paid for it:
"The neonicotinoid family includes acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world. Compared to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, neonicotinoids cause less toxicity in birds and mammals than insects."
Farming can be done in a way that enlivens the country side and supports wild life. The intensive industrial farming that is most common, and heavily subsidized, does not. The small farms are better for the country side and for the animals on then, but particularly the EU, subsidize according to size.
I will continue with what I started. I will pay a premium price for the meat of animals reared nearby, in conditions I can verify for myself. I will implement one 100% vegetarian day a week. No red meat enters my kitchen (I make an exception for reindeer which are raised free). I will be plagued by a bad conscience for what I eat regardless of this.
Consider the true price of cheap meat. Eat less of it.
A viable solution to alleviate the situation: forsake meat once a week. I have steered my household's eating into fish and fowl. Preferably birds reared locally, outside, in decent conditions. I would really prefer to be a vegetarian going on vegan, but that would mean preparing two meals and that's just not in the cards.
The Norwegian farmed salmon is being moved to a plant-based diet, but still, the majority of the world's farmed fish are fed with pellets made of other fish. Meaning that eating fish is exacerbating the over-fishing of the oceans no matter what you do.
Cattle raised for meat are fed soya meal, much of it harvested in Brazil where the expansion of soya fields are causing rain forests to be cut down. Same with chicken and pork.
I was in Finland earlier in May. My sister has a chicken coop with five very determined ladies. Watching a hen do what it is supposed to do - clucking on the lawn, chasing down grubs and insects, is so much fun. They all have different personalities. That wasn't the point of this paragraph though, no, my sister said that her birds are allowed outside only after the trekking birds have flown, due to the possibility of spreading of bird flu. I thought "huh, how did they come up with THAT?", but didn't question. This book explains that the outbreaks of bird flu in intensively farmed chicken - who never get to be outside - were blamed on wild birds. Right. Such a logical conclusion. And this is how far the stupidity spreads: EU forbidding birds to be outside for periods when their wild ones fly past.
The truth is that industrially reared animals live miserable lives and are much more prone to disease than their better-kept counterparts. In crowded conditions, disease spreads more quickly and bird flu often becomes far more virulent.
Here are a few facts you would rather ignore, but that I hope you don't.
- Industrially farmed animals are reared in miserable, indoors conditions that belie their nature.
- Farm animals are fed on soya meal, which is causing rain forests to be cut down
- Currently the world produces enough crop to feed 16 billion people, but most of the crops go to feed animals bred for meat
- The pressure for more crops reduces the habitat of wild animals.
- The pesticides used in farming kills wild animals.
I was shocked to read that a common neonicotinoid is so poisonous that birds die after eating just a few grams of seeds dunked in this. Neonics cause insects to lose their sense of direction, and this is what causes collapses of bee and bumble bee populations.
Wikipedia says the following, by the way, making me wonder who paid for it:
"The neonicotinoid family includes acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world. Compared to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, neonicotinoids cause less toxicity in birds and mammals than insects."
Farming can be done in a way that enlivens the country side and supports wild life. The intensive industrial farming that is most common, and heavily subsidized, does not. The small farms are better for the country side and for the animals on then, but particularly the EU, subsidize according to size.
I will continue with what I started. I will pay a premium price for the meat of animals reared nearby, in conditions I can verify for myself. I will implement one 100% vegetarian day a week. No red meat enters my kitchen (I make an exception for reindeer which are raised free). I will be plagued by a bad conscience for what I eat regardless of this.
Consider the true price of cheap meat. Eat less of it.
August 1, 2017
July 2017 My Book Box Non-fiction selection
I am at once very conflicted and very disappointed in this book. It is not a bad book. In fact, Lymbery's view on farming are ones that I agree with and of those farms I try to support. In fact, I stopped buy Purdue chicken several years ago after watching a Fronline program about chicken farms and pollution.
So I agree with his thesis.
At times, I found this book interesting. The chapters on palm oil and corn in particular stood out. It's just that sometimes Lymbery goes way off topic. For instance, he desribes the aviary that his mother and he use to keep while making sure the reader is aware that Lymbery no longer is comfortable with birds in cage. This story is interesting, and I wouldn't mind reading about it a different type of book. But why is it in this one? Seriously.
Additionally, when a reader does want more information about something, and that might be consdiered slightly off topic, Lymbery does not provide it. For instance, when he is dealing with elephants enroaching on villages. He mentions that elephant training (breaking) is horribly and wonders if the park rangers do this on the elephants they use. He never finds out, and considering the use of elephants in this case to allow humans and animals to co-exist, shouldn't he have asked? Also when talking about fishing, shouldn't you, well, talk to fishermen as well as scientists? There is a selection about bison, and he provides two quotes - a quote from each side of a debate. But each quote is only one sentence. If he had gotten rid of some the digressions, he could have added more in that section.
To be fair, there was one part of this book that really cheesed me off and undoubtedly strongly effects how I feel about this book. In part it is my American bias pride or what have you. Here it is. On a trip to Nebraska, Lymbery stops at a gas station to get water and an ice lolly (his words, btw). He wants to make sure he has picked up plain water - not sparkling or cabornated. He, being British, asks the owner if the water has gas in it. The owner is very confused. Now, I know that water with gas means carbonated water. But that is NOT how we refer to it in the US. And quite frankly, not many people in the US would known what that means. You have a greater chance of meeting someone who doesn't know that. It's a regional language thing. But the why Lymbery describes it comes across as "this stupid American hick". And you know what, no. That is not the case.
Still, parts of the book were interesting.
I am at once very conflicted and very disappointed in this book. It is not a bad book. In fact, Lymbery's view on farming are ones that I agree with and of those farms I try to support. In fact, I stopped buy Purdue chicken several years ago after watching a Fronline program about chicken farms and pollution.
So I agree with his thesis.
At times, I found this book interesting. The chapters on palm oil and corn in particular stood out. It's just that sometimes Lymbery goes way off topic. For instance, he desribes the aviary that his mother and he use to keep while making sure the reader is aware that Lymbery no longer is comfortable with birds in cage. This story is interesting, and I wouldn't mind reading about it a different type of book. But why is it in this one? Seriously.
Additionally, when a reader does want more information about something, and that might be consdiered slightly off topic, Lymbery does not provide it. For instance, when he is dealing with elephants enroaching on villages. He mentions that elephant training (breaking) is horribly and wonders if the park rangers do this on the elephants they use. He never finds out, and considering the use of elephants in this case to allow humans and animals to co-exist, shouldn't he have asked? Also when talking about fishing, shouldn't you, well, talk to fishermen as well as scientists? There is a selection about bison, and he provides two quotes - a quote from each side of a debate. But each quote is only one sentence. If he had gotten rid of some the digressions, he could have added more in that section.
To be fair, there was one part of this book that really cheesed me off and undoubtedly strongly effects how I feel about this book. In part it is my American bias pride or what have you. Here it is. On a trip to Nebraska, Lymbery stops at a gas station to get water and an ice lolly (his words, btw). He wants to make sure he has picked up plain water - not sparkling or cabornated. He, being British, asks the owner if the water has gas in it. The owner is very confused. Now, I know that water with gas means carbonated water. But that is NOT how we refer to it in the US. And quite frankly, not many people in the US would known what that means. You have a greater chance of meeting someone who doesn't know that. It's a regional language thing. But the why Lymbery describes it comes across as "this stupid American hick". And you know what, no. That is not the case.
Still, parts of the book were interesting.
February 18, 2022
as my favourite band bring me the horizon sings: ”we’re fucked / you’re making it so much worse”
that summarises this book pretty well. from a vegan’s perspective it sounds absurd to write books about how bad meat production is and could be done better when there is always the option of… not eating animals anymore? being omnivores got the mankind where we are now but there’s really no need anymore. and especially no need for the scale in which meat production is practised but that the book and many people agree on. a very good and thorougly researched book, i really enjoyed it.
that summarises this book pretty well. from a vegan’s perspective it sounds absurd to write books about how bad meat production is and could be done better when there is always the option of… not eating animals anymore? being omnivores got the mankind where we are now but there’s really no need anymore. and especially no need for the scale in which meat production is practised but that the book and many people agree on. a very good and thorougly researched book, i really enjoyed it.
July 12, 2017
Dead Zone is an astonishing feat. To describe it as well-written and well-researched is an understatement. The author has traveled around the world to document the (often unexpected) effects of human eating habits on wildlife. Each chapter focuses on a specific wild animal and how its fate has become unfortunately interlinked with human eating habits. They include the elephant, bison, shrimp, water vole, jaguar, penguin, and bumblebee. Lymbery’s style is compelling and his prose descriptive. Moreover, his background as CEO of Compassion in World Farming gives credibility and greater depth to his story. Highly recommended!
June 22, 2017
A freaky, frightening and highly disturbing report by Philip Lymbery, 'Dead Zone' spells out a 21st century warning in a very similar way to Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' way back in 1962. These publications are separated by fifty five years, but Lymbery's 'point of no return' earth predictions happen in 2050, in thirty three years time, if global agri business continues on it's present road.
The author's previous book was 'Farmageddon' and here again his beef is meat! Industrial factory farms raising cattle, pigs and chickens, their animals penned in sheds and fed on artificial feeds. Or the vast prairie ranches growing single insecticide doused crops on ever more depleted soils, not to nourish the human population, but to feed the animals in the factory farms. The governments across the world support and subsidise this madness while the system causes ecological mayhem.
'Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were' is a book that should be promoted and read across the globe. Sadly, I'm not sure I envisage enough of the seven billion upright apes to put away their mobile phones long enough to take in the factual enormity this book spells out, or to disturb that 'happy meal' of greasy chicken nuggets. Isn't it all so, like, awesome like!
The author's previous book was 'Farmageddon' and here again his beef is meat! Industrial factory farms raising cattle, pigs and chickens, their animals penned in sheds and fed on artificial feeds. Or the vast prairie ranches growing single insecticide doused crops on ever more depleted soils, not to nourish the human population, but to feed the animals in the factory farms. The governments across the world support and subsidise this madness while the system causes ecological mayhem.
'Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were' is a book that should be promoted and read across the globe. Sadly, I'm not sure I envisage enough of the seven billion upright apes to put away their mobile phones long enough to take in the factual enormity this book spells out, or to disturb that 'happy meal' of greasy chicken nuggets. Isn't it all so, like, awesome like!
December 23, 2019
Sokol stěhovavý, čáp bílý, kreveta, čmelák, tučňák, jaguár... seznam živočišných druhů, které vymírají, by mohl pokračovat skoro donekonečna. Philip Lymbery si ve své poslední knize vybral 14 ohrožených druhů a popsal jejich příběh. Čtení je to smutné, závěr je zřejmý a přímočarý. Pokud nenastane spotřebitelská revoluce a zákazníci nebudou dbát více na původ nakupovaného zboží, situace zvířat a naší přírody se nezlepší, spíše naopak: bude se zhoršovat.
Pokud sečteme celosvětovou zemědělskou produkci, kalorií v potravinách je v ní dost pro šestnáct miliard lidí, což je až nad hlavu, a to i při předpokládaném nárůstu populace. Otázkou, kterou budeme muset rychle vyřešit, je, kde se nám ty kalorie cestou ztrácejí. A kde jinde začít než u svého jídelníčku? Věděli jste například, že při procesu přeměny zvířat na maso, mléko a vejce se ztrácejí až dvě třetiny potenciální výživové a kalorické hodnoty obilnin?
Pokud sečteme celosvětovou zemědělskou produkci, kalorií v potravinách je v ní dost pro šestnáct miliard lidí, což je až nad hlavu, a to i při předpokládaném nárůstu populace. Otázkou, kterou budeme muset rychle vyřešit, je, kde se nám ty kalorie cestou ztrácejí. A kde jinde začít než u svého jídelníčku? Věděli jste například, že při procesu přeměny zvířat na maso, mléko a vejce se ztrácejí až dvě třetiny potenciální výživové a kalorické hodnoty obilnin?
April 16, 2024
I really liked this book and how it was structured, it was clearly super well researched and Lymbery's descriptions of where he has travelled really tied in well to the narrative and were super effective at immersing the reader into the setting. Lymbery discussed a wide range of habitats and horrible farming practices which I really enjoyed!!
There were some parts where I wanted him to go into a bit more depth and detail (but I think that's just me wanting to know more!!) including the last part about positive conservation efforts and possible ways of farming sustainably. For me, the balance between depicting the disastrous consequences of intensive farming and motivating stories of conservation was just right. Definitely want to read his other book farmaggedon soon!!
There were some parts where I wanted him to go into a bit more depth and detail (but I think that's just me wanting to know more!!) including the last part about positive conservation efforts and possible ways of farming sustainably. For me, the balance between depicting the disastrous consequences of intensive farming and motivating stories of conservation was just right. Definitely want to read his other book farmaggedon soon!!
March 13, 2018
Harrowing read. Even when you are the choir there is always more nuance to the song. More details to process. Read the last chapter if you need a mental sorbet.
As a reference get out your markers some of this stuff you are definitely want to come back to.
I learnt a new word from this book- chickenization. It’s actually a word, look it up!
As a reference get out your markers some of this stuff you are definitely want to come back to.
I learnt a new word from this book- chickenization. It’s actually a word, look it up!
April 8, 2024
Why is this book not a bestseller??? Having read multiple books on the subject I really enjoyed the balance of facts and experiences on this one.
May 9, 2018
Dead Zone talks about the impact that over-farming and pesticides have on animals and ecosystems. Each chapter is about a different species of animal and the effects that over-farming has on its habitat. The book goes on to explain how a lot of the world's grain is used to feed livestock and make them grow faster and bigger. Also, how all the land that is used to grow grain could be used to grow something else. A specific example would be in the chapter where he talks about the Jaguar and how soya production in Brazil is affecting their future, but that's all I'll say about that.
I thought the book was good, but kind of dry. It was very informative and detailed, but I found it hard to keep up with all of the information presented. I did like that the author chose to write about interesting animals like elephants and jaguars. Before reading this book I had no idea what kind of impact factory farming had on the rest of the world. My favorite chapter was probably the one on Bison. Mainly because I've always been interested in them since I learned about them when I was in American History class. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that's looking to dig deeper into the world of factory farming and the effects it brings to the animals.
I thought the book was good, but kind of dry. It was very informative and detailed, but I found it hard to keep up with all of the information presented. I did like that the author chose to write about interesting animals like elephants and jaguars. Before reading this book I had no idea what kind of impact factory farming had on the rest of the world. My favorite chapter was probably the one on Bison. Mainly because I've always been interested in them since I learned about them when I was in American History class. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that's looking to dig deeper into the world of factory farming and the effects it brings to the animals.
October 25, 2022
Tärkeä, kiinnostava ja järkyttävä kirja yhdestä koko maapallon suurimmista ongelmista, tehotuotannosta. Mistä on kyse, miten se vaikuttaa ihmisiin, eläimiin, luontoon ja koko maapalloon.
Kirja lisää tuskaa niiden parissa jotka välittävät, mutta pelkään pahoin ettei löydä tietään niiden käsiin, jotka eivät välitä.
Kirja lisää tuskaa niiden parissa jotka välittävät, mutta pelkään pahoin ettei löydä tietään niiden käsiin, jotka eivät välitä.
November 1, 2021
Menee ”kirjoja, jotka jokaisen pitäisi lukea” -listalle helposti. Mielenkiintoinen, mukaansatempaava, pelottava ja ennen kaikkea silmiä avaava teos, joka sai allekirjoittaneen haaveilemaan tehomaatilan ostosta ja sen palauttamisesta luonnontilaan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
Monta muutakin samantyyppisistä aiheista viime aikoin lukeneena tämä ei noussut juuri joukosta. Hyvä kirja ja tärkeä aihe sinänsä.
September 23, 2024
I have not read his earlier book Farmageddon, so I had no preconceptions going into this one. Picked it up for its conservation theme but as it turns out, the author is a big champion of compassionate farming and animal welfare for domestic animals, so this book weaved this theme and 'disguised' it with some conservation topics thrown in. Not that I disagree with the arguments presented against industrial farming and Big Agriculture, but it was not exactly what I thought I was getting into. Nonetheless we simply cannot get away from the far reaching impact and consequences of our global food system on wildlife and natural ecosystems, and the author reminds us constantly in every chapter how the system of growing monoculture crops for animal feed consumes and destroys natural habitats and endangers all sorts of wild species, from elephants and jaguars to penguins and marine iguanas.
Lymbery argues that factory farming isn't even necessary to 'feed the world' as Big Ag puts it, and there IS a better way, to go back to mixed farming and pasture fed animals, combined with reduction of food waste. However the huge vested interests of monoculture businesses in corn and soya stand in the way, perpetuating their own growth and feeding their product into the animal farm operations. Can we transition into a more ethical method that benefits humans and all animals, wild ones included, before more of the Earth is destroyed?
Lymbery argues that factory farming isn't even necessary to 'feed the world' as Big Ag puts it, and there IS a better way, to go back to mixed farming and pasture fed animals, combined with reduction of food waste. However the huge vested interests of monoculture businesses in corn and soya stand in the way, perpetuating their own growth and feeding their product into the animal farm operations. Can we transition into a more ethical method that benefits humans and all animals, wild ones included, before more of the Earth is destroyed?
April 17, 2023
Everyone should read this book. I think it's telling that there are not more reviews of this book as it suggests that not many people have perhaps read it which is a shame.
It really gets to the heart of what is wrong in farming and agriculture today. It's progressed so much it's now having a negative effect rather than positive and from the title of the book, creating dead zones where wild life is becoming more endangered and at risk as a consequence.
It pains me greatly to know animals are suffering and being looked upon as commodities in the farming sector and also secondary in the wild as things that have to be got rid of if they cause a problem for us and our progress.
I've been vegan, and vegetarian before that, for a long time now and my view is obviously not to eat or use animals in any way out of compassion and empathy for them but also for the good of the planet and for health.
If more people could understand why modern factory farming is so wrong and how it is impacting so negatively on everything then maybe these same people could start to think more thoughtfully on what they put on their plates each day.
It really gets to the heart of what is wrong in farming and agriculture today. It's progressed so much it's now having a negative effect rather than positive and from the title of the book, creating dead zones where wild life is becoming more endangered and at risk as a consequence.
It pains me greatly to know animals are suffering and being looked upon as commodities in the farming sector and also secondary in the wild as things that have to be got rid of if they cause a problem for us and our progress.
I've been vegan, and vegetarian before that, for a long time now and my view is obviously not to eat or use animals in any way out of compassion and empathy for them but also for the good of the planet and for health.
If more people could understand why modern factory farming is so wrong and how it is impacting so negatively on everything then maybe these same people could start to think more thoughtfully on what they put on their plates each day.
February 1, 2025
Kirja on ehkä hieman epätasainen, mutta silti vaikuttava. Ja pelottava, kertoessaan asioita joita en oikeastaan olisi halunnut tietää.
Montako vuotta maapallolla on vielä ylipäätään olemassa viljelykelpoista maaperää? Ei kovin kauan, koska tehotuotanto ja ilmastonmuutos aiheuttavat eroosiota, maaperän köyhtymistä ja myrkyttymistä.
Yli kolmannes maailman viljelykasveista syötetään tuotantoeläimille. Ruokaa kyllä tuotetaan yllin kyllin isommallekin väestölle, mutta tehotuotanto tappaa maaperän ja madoista alkaen kaiken elollisen. Luonnollinen järjestys ja luonnon kiertokulku on pahasti rikki.
Viljapelloilta torjunta-aineet ja muut myrkyt valuvat vesistöihin. Viljelyn monokulttuuri köyhdyttää maata ja aiheuttaa lukuisten lajien menoa kohti sukupuuttoa. Ai niin, meret ja niiden kalat. Kirjassa oli myös arvio siitä, kuinka kauan merissä ylipäätään on kaloja. Oli kirjassa myös positiivisia asioita, ja ihmisiä, jotka antavat luonnon ja eläintensä toimia omilla ehdoillaan.
Joku täällä Goodreadsissa oli saanut hepulin kirjailijan käytettyä USA:ssa ei-hiilihapotetusta pullovedestä termiä, joka oli väärä ja jota kuulemma harva ymmärtää. No, siihen en ota kantaa.
Montako vuotta maapallolla on vielä ylipäätään olemassa viljelykelpoista maaperää? Ei kovin kauan, koska tehotuotanto ja ilmastonmuutos aiheuttavat eroosiota, maaperän köyhtymistä ja myrkyttymistä.
Yli kolmannes maailman viljelykasveista syötetään tuotantoeläimille. Ruokaa kyllä tuotetaan yllin kyllin isommallekin väestölle, mutta tehotuotanto tappaa maaperän ja madoista alkaen kaiken elollisen. Luonnollinen järjestys ja luonnon kiertokulku on pahasti rikki.
Viljapelloilta torjunta-aineet ja muut myrkyt valuvat vesistöihin. Viljelyn monokulttuuri köyhdyttää maata ja aiheuttaa lukuisten lajien menoa kohti sukupuuttoa. Ai niin, meret ja niiden kalat. Kirjassa oli myös arvio siitä, kuinka kauan merissä ylipäätään on kaloja. Oli kirjassa myös positiivisia asioita, ja ihmisiä, jotka antavat luonnon ja eläintensä toimia omilla ehdoillaan.
Joku täällä Goodreadsissa oli saanut hepulin kirjailijan käytettyä USA:ssa ei-hiilihapotetusta pullovedestä termiä, joka oli väärä ja jota kuulemma harva ymmärtää. No, siihen en ota kantaa.
July 24, 2017
This is an extremely readable and important book that talks about an issue few even think about at all, that being the true cost of cheap meat that so many millions and millions take for granted, and the environmental catastrophe it is causing. The author travels to a wide variety of locales around the globe, showing examples of how the widespread factory farming of animals is causing wildlife to disappear, is bad for soil, water, air and many other aspects of the environment we all depend on for survival. Lymbery calls out a lot of the lies and nonsense these huge industries constantly throw out to the public to try and justify what they do. The writing in this fine book is surprisingly riveting and always concise, as well as very, very informative. Should be read by anyone who is truly interested in learning more about the state of our natural world, and the horrendously destructive chemical, feed and livestock industries. As well as the future of the human race! An extremely eye-opening book.
July 13, 2019
Compelling evidence that intensive livestock rearing is destroying the planet - contributing, directly or indirectly, to various aspects of environmental damage. If I weren't already vegan, I certainly would be after reading this. "One thing is for sure - business as usual is snot an option; not if we want to bequeath our children and grandchildren a world anything like as beautiful and plentiful as the one we inherited. Fuelled by runaway meat production, the way we produce food alone could take us to the brink."
It sound like a grim read, and often is - but not altogether. Lymbery writes engagingly, combining facts and projections with accounts of his travels and journeys to see various habitats and animals for himself. And the book ends by looking at more positive ways of treating the land to ensure that ecosystems flourish. I highly recommend this to anyone concerned about climate breakdown, mass extinction, animal welfare - and how the personal choices we make affect the wider world.
It sound like a grim read, and often is - but not altogether. Lymbery writes engagingly, combining facts and projections with accounts of his travels and journeys to see various habitats and animals for himself. And the book ends by looking at more positive ways of treating the land to ensure that ecosystems flourish. I highly recommend this to anyone concerned about climate breakdown, mass extinction, animal welfare - and how the personal choices we make affect the wider world.
January 14, 2021
Overall a well-researched and engaging book on an important topic. I think one of its strengths is that it moves away from presenting diets as a binary choice between eating meat and not eating meat (which is often the perspective underpinning other books/media articles, and gives rise to a lot of heated debate), but instead presents the issue as more of a scale, and the more we can move towards the ‘not eating meat’ end of the scale the better. Whilst ultimately the facts in this book strongly support a plant-based diet, I hope that the narrative makes this book less controversial and therefore more accessible.
February 23, 2021
Tärkeä kirja, mutta en kauheasti pidä siitä, että Lymbery keskittyy niin paljon omiin kokemuksiinsa. Toisaalta etenkin ihmisistä kertova luku on todella hyvä, koska se tuo hyvin esille sen, ettei kyse ole vain muutamasta yksittäisestä eläinlajista, vaan kaikista. Tehomaatalous uhkaa jopa 1/3 maailman eläinlajeista - ja meitä itseämme. Jos jatkamme tätä menoa, saatamme tuhota koko ihmiskunnan, ja meidän tulisi todella ottaa nämä varoitukset vakavasti. Meidän pitää toimia nyt, sillä aikaa ei ole hukattavaksi.
July 15, 2018
I have read both Farmageddon and Deadzone by Philip Lymbery and together they contain the most important messages that I've ever read. The origins of our food and the issues that modern farming practises cause are really important for everyone to know. Both books are 5 out of 5 and need to be national curriculum in schools in my opinion!
January 8, 2019
Excellent read
A fascinating and at times alarming read about our wasteful tendencies when it comes to our food production. Will definitely make a concentrated effort to make sure I don’t waste food and make sure that I buy organic. We are our own worst enemies.
A fascinating and at times alarming read about our wasteful tendencies when it comes to our food production. Will definitely make a concentrated effort to make sure I don’t waste food and make sure that I buy organic. We are our own worst enemies.
July 10, 2020
When I think back on reading Farmageddon, I mainly remember horrifying stories and a constant feeling of dread. This book is not without its horrifying stories, but felt a lot more hopeful in tone, and ended on a positive note.
November 19, 2021
The author is very passionate about animals and observing them, especially birds. He loves our planet and wants us to see how bad big farming is for the environment and animal habitats. The message gets a bit repetitive.
February 1, 2022
The follow up to Farmageddon, this book covers some of the research that couldn’t be included in the original book. Again it touches on some interesting research that shows some of the negative impacts humans have had on the world.
March 1, 2025
This book is hard to process but very real. I always thought it was straightforward ozone layer depletion and climate change. Did not give a thought that “intensive sustainable agriculture” and “monoculture farming” will be the end of us all. 🥺
January 4, 2018
Great book, about how factory farming is affecting the habitats of animals.
June 28, 2019
An excellent companion to Isabella Tree's book, Wilding.
January 9, 2021
Excellent appraisal of the devastation caused by factory farming, but I do not agree with his solutions to the problems
March 23, 2021
Tykkäsin tästä tosi paljon. Kirjan tarinat olivat tosi lumoavia, ja tehomaatalouden ongelmallisuus tuli esille paremmin kuin hyvin.
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