Tag Archives: humane

In the Light of Humane Nature – Arthur B. Weissman

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In the Light of Humane Nature

Human Values, Nature, the Green Economy, and Environmental Salvation

Arthur B. Weissman

Genre: Nature

Price: $11.99

Publish Date: October 1, 2013

Publisher: Morgan James Publishing

Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC


This engaging book encourages us to tap into humanity’s highest ideals to solve environmental and social problems and become better people in the process.   Despite significant progress in recent decades, the environmental crisis is far from over. We know what needs to change, but we don’t seem to know—economically, politically, or socially—how to stop the juggernaut of destructive development and resource depletion. Something continues to undermine our efforts to become a truly sustainable society.   This book highlights the positive accomplishments we have made recently in greening the economy, but also exposes the underlying causes of our continued march toward disaster. A seasoned environmental professional, Arthur Weissman argues that what causes our environmental problems and stymies solutions ultimately relates to human values and our attitudes toward the world around us, including other humans, other species, and nature as a whole. We will attain our true relationship with nature only when we embrace the highest human values.   In the Light of Humane Nature weaves personal narrative and autobiographical details with professional and philosophical discourse. Weissman sticks to essential concepts we can all comprehend, and presents the changes we need to make in our moral and aesthetic outlooks to connect with our highest human values so that we may achieve a sustainable and humane world.  

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In the Light of Humane Nature – Arthur B. Weissman

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Should You Buy Free-Range, Organic or Humane Eggs?

What eggs are the best when it comes to how the chickens they come from are raised and the kind of impact those chickens have on the planet?

Many eggs come from chickens raised in industrial cages that leave no room for the animals to move around in, let alone walk or peck at the ground. They’re basically kept in a state of non-stop egg laying until they can’t lay any more. It’s a cruel and inhumane way to treat any animals, so labels that verify that the chickens aretreated humanely are particularly important. This Care2 post on ethical egg production explains the issue in more detail.

Here are the labels to look for when you go shopping.

Skip These Cartons

The following words and phrases are essentially meaningless when it comes to indicating how chickens were raised on the land, what they were fed and how the eggs themselves were produced.

Natural or FarmFresh – There are no federal definitions or industry standard for these terms. If an egg’s only claim to fame is that it’s natural or farm fresh, leave it on the shelf.

Vegetarian Fed – Again, this designation doesn’t indicate how a chicken was treated or what the nature of the feed was. Chickens are actually meat eaters (they like worms and grubs), so it’s not necessarily a benefit that they’re fed vegetarian food, even if it’s organic.

Omega-3 Enriched – This designation has nothing to do with how the animals were raised or what they ate.

Cage-Free, Free-Range, Pasture-Raised, Natural, Humanely-Raised – Unfortunately, none of these words actually mean much unless they’re accompanied by a third-party certification that verifies them. This verifies not just that the animals weren’t in cages, but that they were allowed room to roam and forage. “Cage-free” or “free-range” can still describe crowded, filthy living conditions for chickens, potentially in barns with tens of thousands of other birds. If you’re buying eggs at a farmer’s market, the farmer may have photographs of what his chicken operation looks like. In the grocery store, you’re at the mercy of a meaningless label.

No Added Hormones – Federal regulations have never allowed the use of hormones or steroids in poultry, so this is a meaningless claim.

Consider These Cartons

The following words and phrases are better indicators of how eggs were produced.

Organic – As defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, organic means that hens’ feed is organic, not tainted with GMOs and free of additives and animal byproducts. Hens are also to nest in boxes rather than cages and given access to the outdoors, weather-permitting. Farmers cannot administer antibiotics except during an infectious outbreak.

No Antibiotics – This is good information to have, given how over-treated conventional meat and poultry production can be.

Certified Humane – While “humane” itself is not defined by the USDA, the “certified humane” label indicates farmers who have met the standards set by the non-profit group Humane Farm Animal Care. The are also Animal Welfare approved.

If this is all a bit confusing, refer to this very handy chart created by The Cornucopia Institute. The non-profit research groups rates companies that produce eggs according to how well they meet the organic standards as well as how the animals are treated.

Ratings range from “5 eggs,” which signifies the best sources, to “1 egg,” which is the worst. FYI, Safeway’s O Organic brand, Wegman’s, Kroger’s Simple Truth, Giant’s Nature’s Promise, Meijer’s Organics, Whole Foods’ 350 Organic brand and Trader Joe’s all only rate 1 egg. If you can buy eggs from smaller egg operations and farmers at local markets, chances are you’ll be supporting more humane chicken operations.

Related:
Which are Healthier? Egg whites or whole eggs?
Who Says Eggs Aren’t Healthy or Safe?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Should You Buy Free-Range, Organic or Humane Eggs?

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Earth Week Daily Action: Adopt the Right Pet

What do Earth Week and Earth Day have to do with dogs, cats and maybe even snakes?

As it turns out, a lot.

* Wild cats kill billions of birds and mammals each year. In fact, “feral” cats are the number one cause of death for both, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Ecology.com says that, “over the years…cats have brought about the extinction of 33 bird species.”

* Free-ranging dogs, which can include dogs born into the wild, feral dogs and street dogs, may carry rabies; in fact, more than 55,000 people die from rabies bites mostly inflicted by dogs each year.

* Pet snakes, released into the wild when they get too big, are threatening biodiversity in places like the Florida Everglades. The Burmese python is preying on birds, mammals like raccoons and opossum, and even alligators.

Plus, “puppy mills” run horrible, factory-style breeding facilities that often put profits above the welfare of the dog. These breeders may turn out “picture perfect” canines, but in reality, with so many millions of dogs in shelters and on the streets, isn’t it more humane to adopt a stray than to order up a brand new dog?

During Earth Week, being kind to our pets is a good way to be kind to the planet. Here’s what you can do:

* Adopt a pet from a shelter rather than a breeder. Shelter pets need homes, so adopting a pet that’s already alive is a wonderfully humane action to take. In fact, you may prevent that animal from being euthanized. You’ll definitely get it off the street. Contact your local animal rescue league or find a nearby shelter through your local Humane Society. The Shelter Pet Project also makes it easy to find a pet or pet adoption group.

* Take a stray dog or cat to a shelter where it can be put up for adoption. If you see a stray dog or cat, don’t leave it on the street. Alert the nearest shelter so the animal can be picked up, hopefully cleaned up and fed, and made available for adoption.

* If you get a pet, have it spayed or neutered so it will not reproduce. The Humane Society estimates that “in every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. In the U.S., there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year.” Spaying or neutering your pet will help prevent more animals from becoming homeless. It’s also good for the animal, both in terms of extending its life span and reducing its risk of contracting various diseases.

* Keep cats indoors so they won’t wander off and become strays; keep dogs on a leash when you walk them outdoors. If you do let your dogs off leash or your cat out for a stroll, consider having the vet embed an electronic ID chip. It’s a relatively painless process that will help you locate your animal in the event it gets lost.

* Clean up after your pet. Dogs and outdoor cats generate a large amount of fecal waste. You probably won’t be able to find the cat waste, since it’s often buried, but clean up after your dog to reduce foul odors, habitat for flies and other insects, and a big mess if you happen to step in it.

Avoid the following pet phaux-pas:

* Don’t adopt or buy an exotic pet, like a snake, bearded dragon, iguana or other reptile. Smaller reptiles are hard to keep alive. Larger reptiles, like snakes, will soon become too much too handle.

* Don’t release exotic pets into the wild. Most of them cannot survive when they’re left to fend for themselves, especially if they’re used to a warm climate but you release them into the cold. In particular, don’t release large snakes like pythons and boa constrictors; they will quickly decimate local animal populations.

* Don’t overfeed your pet. By some estimates, 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats are overweight or obese.Producing all the food that pets eat takes a similar environmental toll as producing food for people. Plus, it’s bad for the animals’ health. Keep your pet alive longer without wasting excessive natural resources by feeding Fido or Fluffy only as much as it needs to stay well.

* Don’t buy from a puppy mill. Don’t encourage ruthless breeders to turn out millions of animals that may never find a home. Most well-treated dogs and cats will be wonderful, loving pets, regardless of their pedigree.

* Don’t follow the fads. Remember, bunnies grow up to be rabbits and chicks turn into chickens. Don’t buy an animal just because it’s Easter and it would be fun to have a live bunny rabbit around!

What recommendations do you have for adopting and raising pets so you can minimize their impact on the environment while still giving them a loving, humane home? Please share!

Related
9 Reasons to Stop Eating Meat in Honor of Earth Day
5 Reasons Not to Buy a Puppy for Christmas

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Earth Week Daily Action: Adopt the Right Pet

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Notorious Astroturf Pioneer Rick Berman Is Behind Business Group’s Anti-Labor-Board Campaign

Mother Jones

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In January, viewers catching the morning shows on CNN, Fox, or MSNBC met Heidi Ganahl, the bubbly founder and CEO of a national doggy day care chain called Camp Bow Wow.

“I’ve worked hard and played by the rules to make my franchise business a success,” Ganahl said in an ad that ran on all three networks, as video showed her fawning over a golden retriever. “Now, unelected bureaucrats at the National Labor Relations Board want to change the rules. As Americans, we deserve better. Tell Washington, ‘No.'”

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Notorious Astroturf Pioneer Rick Berman Is Behind Business Group’s Anti-Labor-Board Campaign

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Is Test Tube Meat in Our Near Futures?

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Is Test Tube Meat in Our Near Futures?

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