GPUS Animal Rights Committee
Craig Seeman
Green Party of New York
Animal Rights Committee Co-Chair
email: cseeman@optonline.net
Approval by committee member vote on committee list serve
Sponsor Peggy Koteen GPCA
Second Mary Rooker GPMD
Unanimous vote ending 11:59 PM January 30
Lead Committee Member sponsor
Peggy Koteen – Green Party of California, gandolfsneed@aol.com
Rationale for these revisions to the Platform:
We have long known that Animal Farming contributes greatly to Greenhouse Gasses, and that the Methane from ruminant animals is hugely more disastrous than CO2 emissions. It is fortunate that by eliminating methane production, there is a rapid decrease in Greenhouse Gas. Cutting methane emissions is the fastest opportunity we have to immediately slow the rate of global warming, even as we decarbonize our energy systems. Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere. Even though CO2 has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term. Therefore, if we truly want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050 over 1990 levels, then it is necessary to end the use of animals in farming. Additionally, the land/water resources used; the pollution of our waterways; and global biodiversity loss to raise domestic animals, regardless of the methods used, for food is immense.
Chapters of the platform and letters of plank being addressed:
III. Ecological Sustainability
A. Climate Change
III. A. 6. a
Current Language:
End industrialized agriculture methods, including monocropping, reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and the use of confined animal operations, all of which are high-order contributors to atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Revised Language:
End all commercial animal and industrialized agriculture methods, including monocropping, reliance on synthetic or domesticated animal fertilizers and pesticides, the use of confined animal operations, and commercial regenerative agriculture, all of which are high-order contributors to atmospheric greenhouse gases and the commodification of life. This shall not be construed to deny indigenous peoples and those in isolated geographic areas where fully plant-based diets may not be feasible, the right to animal agriculture for subsistence.