Food resources is a topic that is very much intertwined with global warming- as I’ve briefly mentioned in a previous post. Turns out, it’s actually quite controversial. People seem very torn on how we obtain our food and even what we eat in general, so that is what I will look at today.
For starters: The Vegan Debate
Due to increasing environmental awareness, there’s been a rise in vegetarian and vegan eaters. Personally, I love pork a little too much to be one myself, however I have no quarrel with those that choose this life path, so long as they do not judge my choice of not following their footsteps. I believe this is the case with my fellow meat eaters. Unfortunately, there are a selection of vegans and vegetarians who do have a feud with those who don’t copy their ways of life. One huge example of this is the Vegan Teacher. She’s become a huge joke around schools now, but if you haven’t heard of her, she’s essentially a vegan who criticises and ridicules others on what they eat and buy, using graphic images in order to guilt trip her audience on their choice of diets.
Additionally: Factory Farming
What I’m not saying is that veganism is wrong. I do agree that factory farming livestock is cruel and that the animals we eat do deserve humane conditions during their lifetimes; however, this doesn’t mean criticizing people on their diets is okay. People should still be allowed to eat meat without protests and guilt trips from the media. But I do believe that the sources we use should be more compassionate.
Furthermore: GM Food
Another huge argument that has recently become a large topic of debate is genetically modified crops, (I’ve mentioned a tiny bit previously on this too). GM crops have many benefits such as improving crop yields, reducing the use/need for fertilisers and pesticides and can help crops become resistant to diseases. These all mean maximum profit for economies and allowing humanity to keep up with the dramatically increasing demand for food. However, the argument comes in as people start doubting the safety of GM crops on the human health. As far as I’m aware, there haven’t been any known side effects to eating such crops yet, but people see them as alien and unnatural as have been genetically tampered with which hasn’t been researched on repercussions of such actions. This makes people see them as risky and dangerous – points which are difficult to argue with.
Moreover: The Organic Movement
Through all the arguments about food resources, it seems we are all being pushed to buy organic foods. I’m fully aware organic food is good for the environment, that it protects wildlife and especially bees which are vital for pollination as well as tends to be healthier for soil which improves future farming. Yet, as I’m sure most of the population can agree, once again the costs are way to high. No one will have any incentive to choose the environmental option when it’s practically twice the price as the imported.
Finally: Corruption
I believe this is evidence that humanity is corrupt and evil: that people will kill anything and anyone just to get a little extra cash in their pockets. If people don’t start caring about the world around us, it’s not just our planet that will suffer.