Schweiger 1

Annabelle Schweiger

Dr. Kim Lacey

English 111

29 October 2019

Paper 3

Taking the life of an animal, whether it is for sport or for survival, has been more

controversial in the past decade than it ever has been before. Debates over the ethics of hunting

and whether or not it's necessary, have contributed to growing disagreements between those who

eat meat and those who don't. The idea of an animal’s life ending at the hands of a hunter, for

whatever reason it may be, has caused an uproar from vegans and vegetarians from all over.

Many view hunters as killers responsible for the avoidable deaths of countless creatures, and the

central cause of environmental problems. In reality, hunters aren't the only people with blood on

their hands, nor are they responsible for climate change. Animals die directly and indirectly to

suit the dietary needs of everyone. No matter if you're a hunter, vegan, or vegetarian, your diet

has an effect on the environment, and somewhere down the line animals have lost their lives in

order to feed you.

The reason that vegans and vegetarians are as much to blame as hunters for loss of animal

life is because of agriculture. Although they aren’t literally pulling the trigger, agricultural

expansion results in loss of habitat, which therefore causes loss of animal life. If someone does

not eat meat or animal products, they obtain their daily nutrients through a plant based diet,

hence the demand for agriculture. With more people becoming reliant on plant products, crops

need to expand, and oftentimes forests are cleared and vacant fields are worked up in order to
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grow these crops that are essential to everyone. As stated by Hank Shaw, “​just because you

choose not to eat the flesh of animals does not mean that their homes did not fall to the plow to

become acres of vegetables and soybeans. Habitat, more than anything, determines the health of

a species” (Shaw).

The demand for more crops has resulted in deforestation and displacement. According to

Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, “industrial agriculture is the most significant

driver of deforestation in tropical and subtropical countries, accounting for 80% of deforestation

from 2000-2010” (Yale University​). Deforestation for lumber and other purposes do not even

compare to agriculture. Just like hunting, killing one animal through deforestation or

displacement can often trigger a chain reaction. Killing a parent ultimately results in the death of

their young, as there is no one to feed, protect, or take care of them. Hunters will typically kill in

smaller numbers, as there are certain rules and regulations that need to be followed, and there are

restrictions in place about killing females, who could potentially be mothers. Deer are a good

example of this. However, the effects of agriculture spare no one. They are more widespread,

killing animals in mass amounts whether whether they are adults or children.

Agricultural expansion often affects animals that would never be targeted by hunters.

When it comes to hunting, there are specific animals that are sought out depending on the season,

and purpose for hunting. Hunters will have in mind what sort of animal they intend to hunt prior

to their trip, rather than killing whatever is available to them. It is a specialized process. This is

not the case when whole forests are cleared for farmland. Instead of seeking out a particular

animal, this has effects on all creatures living there, which are often times animals of little

interest to hunters. An academic journal writes that “Western burrowing owls (Athene
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cunicularia hypugaea) are endangered in Canada and several western U.S. states. Population

declines have been linked with control measures aimed at burrowing mammals and loss of

nesting habitat” (Coleen). These owls, which rarely fall victim to hunters, are failing to nest

because their homes are being destroyed, resulting in a decline in population. According to

Doctor Patel at The University of Texas, “the footprint of global agriculture is vast. Industrial

agriculture is absolutely responsible for driving deforestation, absolutely responsible for pushing

industrial monoculture, and that means it is responsible for species loss. We’re losing species we

have never heard of, those we’ve yet to put a name to, and industrial agriculture is very much at

the spear-tip of that” (Ian Johnston). It can be seen that hunters are not responsible for certain

species dying off like some believe.

Many people shift to a vegetarian or vegan diet to avoid being responsible for animal

death, and to ensure that they are not inflicting any lasting physical or psychological harm.

However, their main source of food is responsible for killing just as many, if not more animals

than hunting does; and it often prolongs suffering, unlike hunting, when death tends to be quick.

“Replacing red meat with grain products leads to many more sentient animal deaths, far greater

animal suffering and significantly more environmental degradation. Protein obtained from

grazing livestock costs far fewer lives, it is a more humane, ethical and environmentally-friendly

dietary option” (Ordering the Vegetarian Meal). Mice are a good examples of animals that are

exposed to prolonged suffering. Although they are not typically seen as having a great amount of

importance, they are still animals with the capacity to feel. “Mice sing ​complex, personalised

love songs​ to each other that get more complex over time. Singing of any kind is a rare

behaviour among mammals, previously known only to occur in whales, bats and humans. Baby
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mice left in the nest sing to their mothers — a kind of crying song to call them back. For every

female killed, on average five to six totally dependent baby mice will, despite singing their hearts

out to call their mothers back home, inevitably die of starvation, dehydration or predation”

(Ordering The Vegetarian Meal).

This problem is not occuring in the United States alone. In other nations, deforestation

and displacement due to agriculture are becoming more and more prominent. “The current

contribution of agriculture to deforestation varies by region, with industrial agriculture being

responsible for 30% of deforestation in Africa and Asia, but close to 70% in Latin America”

(Yale University). Animals that are already seeing mass declines in population are suffering as

well. According to Environment Correspondent Ian Johnston, “in Sumatra, forests that are home

to elephants and jaguars are being destroyed to make way for plantations” (Ian Johnston). These

creatures were already suffering huge losses from illegal trophy hunting, now they are becoming

victims of agricultural expansion. In addition to that, it's been found in Australia that “ploughing

and harvesting kills small mammals, snakes, lizards and other animals in vast numbers”

(Ordering The Vegetarian Meal). Now you can see that although indirectly, vegetarians and

vegans have blood on their hands like hunters do. Their reliance on agriculture is causing loss of

animal life, and they should take just as much responsibility as hunters do.

One can argue that vegans and vegetarians are not nearly as responsible for animal death

as hunters are. It is claimed that agriculture is having such a widespread effect on animal lives

because more and more consumers are eating meat. “More animals mean more crops are needed

to feed them” (Environment). Meaning that if people didn't eat as much meat, agriculture

wouldn't be a problem because the amount of land necessary to provide for them would be
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significantly less. This does hold some truth, however stopping meat consumption won't solve

this problem. Crops are going to be needed either way to grow wheat, soy, corn, vegetables and

other produce; animals lives will still be lost at the expense of whoever utilizes those crops,

which happens to be everybody. In addition to that, it is argued that veganism and vegetarianism

are overall better for the ecosystem as a whole. According to Isabella Tree, “unless you’re

sourcing your vegan products specifically from organic, “no-dig” systems, you are actively

participating in the destruction of soil biota, promoting a system that deprives other species,

including small mammals, birds and reptiles, of the conditions for life, and significantly

contributing to climate change” (Tree). Climate change is happening, and stopping meat

consumption alone will not put a stop to it. “In theory, not consuming meat should remove any

negative environmental impact. However, according to the US Library of Medicine, pesticides

used in conventional agriculture, such as fruit and vegetable crops, leak into surface level water

where it can also pollute soil, and poison wildlife” (The Environmental Impact of Diets). This

proves that the claims made by vegetarians and vegans, arguing that their diets are better for the

environment and prevent the death and suffering of animals wrong.

The point is not to promote a certain diet or lifestyle, but to bring to life what sort of

effects our diets have on animals, no matter how different they are. It's time to see that death

cannot be pinned on hunters alone. All groups of people: hunters, vegans, and vegetarians need

to own up to the fact that they are all responsible for animal death at some level. ​(STILL

WORKING ON)
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References

Colleen E. Moulton, Ryan S. Brady, & James R. Belthoff. (2006). Association between Wildlife

and Agriculture: Underlying Mechanisms and Implications in Burrowing Owls. ​The

Journal of Wildlife

Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/environment.

Ian Johnston Environment Correspondent @montaukian. (2017, August 27). Industrial farming

is driving the sixth mass extinction of life on Earth, says leading academic.

Ordering The Vegetarian Meal? There's More Animal Blood On Your Hands. (n.d.).

Shaw, H., Tomales Bay Ecological Reserve, & Intrepid Pioneer. (2017, January 31). On Killing

Wild Game for Food.

The Environmental Impact of Diets. (2019, September 23). Retrieved from

https://thevarsity.ca/2019/09/22/the-environmental-impact-of-diets/​.

Tree, I. (2018, August 25). If you want to save the world, veganism isn't the answer | Isabella

Tree.

Yale University. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://globalforestatlas.yale.edu/land-use/industrial-agriculture#targetText=The most

significant agricultural drivers,palm oil, and cattle ranching.