Making the greenest choices
In Paul Waddington's new book, Shades of Green: A (mostly) Practical A-Z For The Reluctant Environmentalist, he discusses the variations of "green" while shattering myths about the best choices for the planet. Some conclusions are pretty obvious like choosing fair trade organic bananas over conventional fruit. Other revelations are a bit more surprising. For example, the next best thing to raising chickens in your backyard for food is buying conventional, factory farm chickens. The reasoning is that because of their short and cramped lifestyles, they require 32 percent less energy to raise than organic chicken. There are of course drawbacks to factory chickens but it's definitely something to think about. Are you worried more about greenhouse gases or your health and animal treatment?
The greenest choice every time is usually sustainable farming and showering in a downpour. However, that's not how most of us live. Waddington helps the reader sort through the choices to make the best one for their lifestyle.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-05-2008 @ 9:28AM
Stephanie said...
How about NOT eating chicken. You save your health and eliminate animal abuses from your diet AND you don't contribute to greenhouse gases.
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1-05-2008 @ 12:46PM
Kayla said...
Or...the people who raise the chickens could raise them outside in pens rather than inside in cramped cages so they have to clip their beaks off so they don't peck at the chicken right beside them. I never understood that...if they're going to hurt each other because of being caged so tightly, then DON'T CRAM SO MANY IN ONE CAGE. DON'T PUT THEM IN A CAGE AT ALL! Less suffering and better health conditions for all!
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1-05-2008 @ 3:32PM
Dave said...
Definitely, dropping chicken and other animal 'products' is by far the best choice. See http://www.earthsave.ca/ and especially http://www.earthsave.ca/newsletter for more information.
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1-12-2008 @ 10:59PM
Lisa Sheremet said...
You've got to be kidding! Ok, so yea it takes 32% less energy, but you just basically supported animail cruilty. Save energy and torture animails?? I've been a vegitarian for 5 yrs, ever heard of PETA? try PETA2.com or GoVeg.com. maybe it can show people how chickens are treated to save 32% energy.
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