Animal Rights and Living Green

Animal rights advocacy or at least an awareness concerns itself first and foremost with the pain and suffering of sentient animals. However the work of activists and the good choices we make as consumers regarding animal rights is at the same time environmentally responsible.

The exploitation of animals on many levels is a huge contributor to the environmental crisis we are now facing. Consider this:

Industrial agriculture is not only the source of horrific animal torture, but is also responsible for massive levels of greenhouse gases, water pollution, soil contamination and petroleum consumption. Animal rights advocates work to improve conditions for animals at least but focus on the dissolution of factory farms all together. Industrial agriculture affects human health through hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. Furthermore it contributes to world hunger in that land used to raise livestock could be better managed with crops; producing significantly more food to feed significantly more people.

• support your nearest family farm
• purchase organic fruits and vegetables which are in season
• consider a vegetarian lifestyle
• if you are not a vegetarian, eat kosher meat which requires a more humane method of slaughter<./li>

Animal Testing in Personal Care Products

While many people will reject objections to using animals for legitimate medical reasons, there are no laws requiring the testing of personal care products. Companies that do test products on animals subject these beings to unimaginable conditions. There products often contain harsh chemicals, dioxins, phlalates sulfates, etc., which are neither good for you nor the environment. The needless suffering of these animals, the risks to your health and the repercussions on the environment can easily be avoided.

• Choose natural care products including toothpaste, soaps, lotions, and shampoos. Almost all truly natural products are cruelty free.
• Even if you aren’t going to go totally natural, choose products that are not tested on animals. Many well known products that don’t have some sort of eco-seal still make it clear that no animal testing is involved.
• Choose products that do not have animal products in their ingredients. Did you know that many cosmetics use slaughterhouse leftovers such as blood in their products and many lotions contain urea (urine)?

The Fur Industry and other apparel produced from the coats of animals

In our modern age fur is mostly farmed. Fur farms have problems similar to factory farms and most of their furry residents are skinned alive. These animals include fox, ferrits, rabbits, and even cats and dogs. Animals that are difficult to keep in captivity such as bobcats are trapped owing to additional environmental problems. Populations are depleted including species that were never intended to be trapped but had the bad luck of being snared.

In addition to fur, other forms of clothing made from animals very likely are the product of inhumane treatment especially when the clothing is mass produced and/or imported. To be safe, avoid clothing made of mohair, angora, wool, silk(which is always cruel), and leather,

• Avoid buying and wearing fur
• Express your distaste of fur to others if you feel comfortable
• Check labels on clothing before you purchase to make sure the article doesn’t contain animal products (sometimes a sweater for example will contain small amounts of mohair which won’t be obvious to the eye.)
• Choose clothes made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, hemp or organic cotton. For more information on sustainable clothing see this article on Eco-Friendly Clothing
  
  
  
  
  
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