Can the Yogic Vegetarian Diet solve the problem of Global Warming? (with video)
Written by Dharmpuri
(member of Yoga in Daily Life)
Global warming in the light of the yogic diet
The United Nations report “Livestock’s Long Shadow”, details the impact a non-vegetarian diet has on the environment and on global warming.
In many articles about how to reduce global warming our diet is never mentioned. It seems taboo. Nobody likes to be told what they can and cannot eat but also nobody likes to be made thirsty by drought or homeless by floods, tornadoes or fire, and nobody wants to die either. The World Health Organisation says deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year.
Some points from the report are:
- The livestock sector is responsible for 18% of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. This is more than all forms of transport put together.
- The Livestock sector emits 37% of all anthropogenic (caused by humans) methane which has 23 times the global warming potential of CO2, most of that from cow burbs. It emits 65% of anthropogenic nitrous oxide which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2, the great majority from manure. Livestock are also responsible for almost two-thirds (64%) of anthropogenic ammonia emissions, which contribute significantly to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems.
- The livestock sector accounts for over 8% of global human water use
- is probably the largest sectoral source of water pollution, contributing to eutrophication(no oxygen in the water), “dead” zones in coastal areas, degradation of coral reefs, human health problems, emergence of antibiotic resistance and many others.
- The report concludes that, unless drastic changes are made, the massive damage done by livestock will more than double by 2050, as demand for meat increases.
- Livestock production accounts for 70% of all agricultural land and 30% of the land surface of the planet.
- 70% of previous forested land in the Amazon is occupied by pastures
From a Yogic point of view it is not the cows causing the problem but what is behind it. Mala - impurities in our thinking.
"Mental pollution is the most dangerous pollution. All that happens in the world, all environmental pollution, and all the wars are caused by mental pollution."
- Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
We think “I am a meat eater” but the truth is that this is just an idea sold to us. When our thoughts are not in harmony with nature they are unnatural thoughts.
"Love them, feed them, don't eat them"
- Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
Everything we have - our bodies, our homes, our cars, our money, our food, and our families, all come from Planet Earth. She is our Mother and She has given us everything. She is also the mother to all creatures that live on her. This makes all creatures our sisters and brothers.
Vasudeva Kutumbakam
The whole world is but one family
A new excellent video about the connection of our nourishment and global warming
Please look to this new available video, which brings much light to this very important questions!
(This text is provided by tiskarna)
