Everyday Choices For Change: Swine Flu-Factory Farm Link?
The Ethical Consumer Group meets monthly in Melbourne to discuss aspects of living out sustainable alternatives in a consumerist culture over a BYO dinner and movie.
This year the focus is on four themes:
- Equality & Enough
- Consumption & Waste
- Safe & Sacred
- Relocalisation
NEXT Meal & Movie night this Thursday 14 May
Discussion topic Zero Waste Challenge.
Screening: The ‘Garbage Warrior’
In natural systems ‘rubbish’ and ‘waste’ don’t exist. Garbage Warrior is the epic story of radical Earthship eco architect Michael Reynolds, and his fight to build off-the-grid self-sufficient communities.
Zero Waste Challenge in Zero Waste Week
The Ethical Consumer Group asks you to join it on a ‘Zero Waste Week’ trial, in which it will attempt to reduce its household rubbish for seven days.
Could you survive a week without throwing anything away?
You’re invited for a discussion over dinner if you’re interested in being a part of this trial in Melbourne later in the year.
- 6.30 – 7.30pm – dinner – byo ‘food and thoughts’ to share, zero-waste-week challenge discussion
- 8pm – 10.30pm – movie
- Shaun & Neesh’s place, Yarraville
- RSVP for further details. Nick Ray 9687 4456 / 0417 114 492 nick@ethical.org.au
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Coming up…
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Shopping with a Conscience Supermarket Tour
When Last Thursday of each month. Next is Thursday 28th May. 6pm – 8.30pm.
Cost $15. Light supper provided.
Where Meet at Footscray Baptist church, 60 Paisley Street, Footscray. Find out more at http://www.ethical.org.au/swac
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Focus on Factory Farming…
“There’s been a lot of talk about Swine flu, where it’s come from and whether it will lead into a global pandemic. Emerging evidence links it to large factory pig farms where conditions lead to overcrowding and disease. In Australia, as in most of the world, factory farms are our conventional means of raising pigs and chickens for meat, and producing eggs. These ‘production lines’ have been criticised for their cruelty. They also separate us from the life of the beasts and the death that is a significant part of our consuming. What is a ‘right’ relationship to the animals that we share this planet with. Can we reduce their value to one of productive unit and can we justify their suffering?”
Recent Reflections
Making Sense of Swine Flu: Pat Thomas, the Ecologist, 30th April, 2009
A great article Exposing the beast: factory farming must be called to the slaughterhouse: J.M. Coetzee, February 22, 2007
Further resources
The Meatrix – world class Animated flick
Animals Australia – find out about Unleashed – a major youth initiative to help end animal cruelty.
Voiceless – seeking a world where animals are treated with respect and compassion.
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Heard Nick on the ABC a few days ago – the Ethical Consumer Group is making itself heard…
