Rethink, redirect, reward Part 2

So could we still be happy if we started to consume a bit less in general, and less animal products in particular? The small Asian state of Bhutan uses Gross National Happiness instead of Gross Domestic Product. Money, and the things you can do with it, doesn’t necessarily make people happy. Welfare and quality of life include feeling healthy, content, being appreciated and recognised for one’s contribution to the family or wider society, a sense of security, enjoying freedom, exercising democratic rights, compassion, empathy, respect and so on. These are the core values that need to be integrated in education at all levels and fostered within the work place.

It will strengthen social cohesion; start to restore the balance with those sentient beings around us, and may reduce crime and violence. Scientific studies have demonstrated that there is a link between animal abuse and domestic violence. Although the issue is complex, it seems that perpetrators have often been abused themselves and that they lack the sense of empathy. In order to maintain some control over their lives, and regain self-esteem, they abuse other vulnerable beings: children, spouses, elderly people or animal companions. Early warning systems need to be in place and cooperation between organisations, social services and the police should be improved to address the root of the problem. At present, too much effort and too many resources are focused on crime and violence control rather than prevention.

These examples show that animal and environmental issues are at the heart of society. The economic crisis, food crisis, fuel crisis, animal disease crises and climate change are all interconnected. Animal issues are part and parcel of the economy, environment, education and other topics and not a fringe or single issue.

It is time to rethink how we treat each other, the environment and other non-human animals. Adjust our value system and adopt a fair and just society, with equal chances and opportunities for all but not at the expense of other sentient beings.

We should redirect resources and efforts away from unsustainable, inefficient and inhumane or exploitative industries and systems, to systems that show respect for others, and that will still be here for our children and grandchildren.

The EU Common Agricultural Policy subsidy system, for example, should be redirected to sectors where demand is growing instead of supporting the dying dairy industry. Funds should also be redirected to preserve and expand our forests and other important ecological systems such as wetlands and marshes,which increase biodiversity. Planting trees is particularly important as they are natural CO2 sequesters.