With
the numbers of people facing hunger worldwide having risen to more a
billion for the first time in history, the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) released a white paper calling for reduced reliance on
industrial animal agriculture and greater support instead for
plant-based foods to provide nutrition
for more people.
The
report points out that with over 80% of all soy and up to 50% of corn
already being fed to livestock, forecasts of animal product consumption
doubling by 2050 means that livestock animals may soon be in competition
with humans for food. Worse yet, livestock production is a major factor
in global warming,
which if continued will only intensify problems
such as drought and extreme storms that are already threatening food
security worldwide.
Our appreciation, Humane Society of the
United States for this wise reminder that global hunger can be
alleviated by the simple choice of plant-based foods.
May such
research as yours lead us to swiftly adopt lifestyles that optimize the
food supply for all.
In her dedication to ensure humanity’s
wellbeing, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often warned of the major role
of the livestock industry in world hunger, as during a January 2009
videoconference in Mongolia.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Actually,
we should not have to worry about food because we have it abundantly on
our planet. It’s just that we have to use it wisely. Instead of using it
to feed the animals, we use it to feed humans and that will be fine. We
should remind everyone to be veg to invoke the mercy of the Buddhas,
and we will be better protected.
Studies have shown that if the
grain currently going to livestock animals for feed, if we feed it to
humans, then all the hunger in the world will disappear and the reversal
of global warming from a vegan diet will result in more plentiful
growing conditions. So, we even have more food than now if we turn to
vegan diet.
http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/hsus-the-impact-of-industrialized-animal-agriculture-on-world-hunger.pdfhttp://www.evana.org/index.php?id=50669&lang=en http://www.humanesociety.org/news/publications/whitepapers/farm_animal_welfare.html