The free-range compromise - Letters From Our Readers

E: The Environmental Magazine, May-June, 2002

I eagerly read your latest issue focusing on vegetarianism. While informative, I was disappointed that your articles dropped the ball on the related discussion of organic meat.

It's clear that meat-based diets are problematic for global hunger, brutalize animals and endanger our health. Although I have tried going vegetarian, I confess that I periodically crave a burger or fajitas, and molded soy just doesn't fit the bill.

My compromise? I consume only organic meats and dairy products. In doing so, I bypass concerns of antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals, find comfort knowing the animals are raised "free-range" without overcrowding, and often support local farmers. By avoiding most non-organic meats, I've removed my financial support of the junk food that pervades the market and contributes to bad health. I'm an animal lover and, no, the hypocrisy of being a meat-eater doesn't escape me. Apart from that personal ethical dilemma, what are the environmental repercussions of organic meat? I would like to see a follow-up article.

Christine Brock
Moreland Hills, OH

Thank you for your exposing coverage of the important environmental issue of vegetarianism. I have been a strict vegan for over 12 years for planetary reasons. The environmental havoc caused by animal agribusiness is well documented, although so many environmentalists and their publications often don't wish to address it.

I would like to add that I feel taking the step from vegetarian to vegan is equally as important. The dairy and egg industries have deep ecological hoof prints. Organic or not, they use vast amounts of water and grain while creating immense quantities of waste.

There are so many detrimental environmental tragedies occurring to the Earth. By choosing a plant-based diet, I am actively making positive environmental choices beyond recycling!

Hope Fauna
Santa Rosa, CA

I want to thank you for giving voice to what I consider a long-unaddressed inconsistency of the environmental movement: The fact that so many self-proclaimed advocates for the Earth continue to eat meat.

While it disappoints me that people use animal products despite the suffering inherent in them, I understand that it's been ingrained in humans to rationalize this oppression for thousands of years, and we all have to come to our own ethical conclusions. At the same time, environmentalists are examples for others, and we must always challenge ourselves to do better.

One way environmentalists justify this consumption is by purchasing organic and the often misleadingly labeled "free-range" meat. Organic animal products are not a realistic answer for the environmentally minded: The amount of space necessary, given current consumption habits, simply wouldn't work without immense, wasteful land and water use. It's time for us to go vegan.

Marla Rose, Co-founder
Vegan Street
Chicago, IL