May the Forest Be With You
The U.S. just lived through its warmest winter on record, a stark reminder that the climate catastrophe is accelerating. International Day of Forests was March 21, and a good reminder that forests are one of our strongest natural defenses—and that we have the power to protect them.
Deforestation plays a major role in the warming climate. When forests are destroyed, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere, worsening global heating. Yet forests continue to be cleared at alarming rates, largely to make room for animal agriculture, including grazing land and crops grown to feed animals raised for food.
This land use is wildly inefficient. Vast areas of forest are sacrificed even though raising animals for food provides only a fraction of the calories people need. Choosing vegan foods would allow us to feed more humans while using far less land—and give forests the chance to recover.
Forests are also home to animals—birds who nest in canopies, mammals who rely on forest corridors and insects who pollinate the plants that sustain entire ecosystems. When forests fall, these animals lose their homes, families and lives. And, of course, vegan foods also spare animals from being raised and killed for food.
Protecting forests means protecting animals, the climate and ourselves. Let’s recognize that the power to help has been with us all along—and choose vegan living.
Rebecca Libauskas
The PETA Foundation
Dodging Bullets
In order to avoid consequences of his relationships with Jeffrey Epstein and his network of associates, the president is producing a new reality show, War of the Week. Stay tuned.
Craig J. Corsini
San Rafael
