Comments on: Vegan Eating Trumps Eating Locally

By: Jennarator

Jennarator — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:38:08 +0000

Interesting too, since most of the hamburger in the US comes from “spent” dairy cows…

Or maybe the study included the environmental impact of dairy consumption as well? It should, in any event.

By: Green Your Apartment » Blog Archive » Sixth “Tips for Green Living” Carnival

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:37:25 +0000

[...] Wright presents Vegan Eating Trumps Eating Locally posted at Vegan Bits. Though I’m not a vegetarian, let alone a vegan, if you can do it then I [...]

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:53:26 +0000

Hi Vegan Eating,

Thanks. Glad we could provide value.

By: Vegan Eating

Vegan Eating — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:11:26 +0000

This was incredibly informative. I’m glad to have more facts to present to friends about why it’s important to try veganism.

By: easyVegan.info » Blog Archive » VeganMoFo, Day 1: Eating Locally (X-Treme Edition)

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:39:01 +0000

[...] been quite a bit of talk on the internets lately about the (dis)advantages of eating locally, eating organic, “voting” with your dollars and “happy” meat. All of which [...]

By: OGD Blog Carnival - Issue #1 | organicgreendaddy.com

OGD Blog Carnival - Issue #1 | organicgreendaddy.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:37:56 +0000

[...] Wright presents Vegan Eating Trumps Eating Locally posted at Vegan [...]

By: All Things Eco Blog Carnival VOLUME ONE! | Focus Organic.com

All Things Eco Blog Carnival VOLUME ONE! | Focus Organic.com — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:16:05 +0000

[...] saying, “Tips for a Designing a Green House in a Cold-Dry Climate” Lane Wright presents Vegan Eating Trumps Eating Locally posted at Vegan Bits. That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of [...]

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:29:59 +0000

Hi “B”
Again, you’re entitled to your opinion. It is my belief (based in part on the cited references) that it is more beneficial to eat vegan than to eat local. I did not say they are mutually exclusive. The point I am making is that this is a more impactful behavior and it would be nice for the media to at least suggest eating vegan one day per week.
You’re saying that cutting meat consumption is too drastic. So what… People should buy their produce at the farmers market… But buy their meat at the supermarket, as usual.
I’m not chastising anyone, except perhaps the media. If people want to eat meat, that’s their prerogative. I’m just pointing out the benefits of eating meatless far outweigh the benefits of eating locally.

By: B.

B. — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:30:59 +0000

Mmm, sorry. I have to go with Becky on this one. As both a vegan and a buyer of local food, I have to say that this headline of yours sends the wrong message. While it’s depressing that “the idea of eating meatless is something [the media] do[es]n’t believe [it] can get the US consumer to buy into,” it’s not as if it surprises anyone that they instead emphasize eating local. Cutting out meat (and certainly going vegan) are way too drastic for most people to consider doing over the long-term.

Anyway, I just want to add that I think the title of this post is a bit…irresponsible in that sense. It’s not as if we should chastise those who choose to eat meat but buy local, instead of just giving up meat altogether. People will do only what they’re willing to do–and buying local is a big step, at least in terms of animal welfare (usually) if not environmentally (given your statistics).

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 30 May 2008 06:18:40 +0000

Hi Stefanie,
I’ve no idea why either, as you can see, they often work. Perhaps the spam filter got you?

Hi Becky,
I agree that animals can be part of a holistic farm system. However, that’s not the case here in the US (for the most part). With over a billion animals being processed for food here annually, the bucolic farm where animals are grass-fed and allowed to roam freely is just not practical. And there’s more waste product generated that can be used (plenty of stats on pollution there ). And if McDonald’s et al have anything to say in the matter (and I believe they’ve got plenty of input here), then the cost of meat won’t accurately reflect the true costs of producing it.
I just find it reprehensible that the media keep touting “eat local” as if that is the solution. Clearly the idea of eating meatless is something they don’t believe they can get the US consumer to buy into. — Or the agribusiness lobby is more powerful than I’d like to contemplate. — Regardless, New Scientist magazine shows that my pineapple is less impactful to the planet than that steak my cousin ordered for dinner tonight.
As for the packaged processed vegan foods, yes, they’re more energy intensive than what I buy at the farmers market, however, they still have significantly less of an impact than meat.
I’m not saying that eating locally isn’t important. I am saying that by eating meatless I’m doing more for the planet than someone who only buys there produce from the farmers market and still eats meat regularly.